Effect of dentifrice slurry abrasivity and erosive challenge on simulated non-carious cervical lesions development in vitro.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of slurry abrasive levels and acidic challenges on the development of non-carious cervical lesions.

Methods: Ninety-six extracted upper premolars were affixed in pairs to acrylic blocks and had their root surfaces covered by acrylic resin except for 2 mm from the cemento-enamel junction. The specimens were distributed into six groups (n = 8 pairs) based on two experimental factors: (1) slurry abrasivity level [low/medium/high] and (2) citric acid challenge [yes/no]. Specimens were brushed for 5,000, 15,000, 35,000, and 65,000 strokes. Volume loss (VL) was determined based on optical profilometry scans of specimens impressions at the baseline and at subsequent brushing levels. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni pairwise comparison (α = 0.05).

Results: Higher VL values were associated with high-abrasivity slurries relative to low- and medium-abrasivity slurries (P < 0.001). Increasing the slurry abrasivity level increased the VL regardless of the acidic challenge, which did not have a significant effect (P = 0.184). After 65,000 strokes, significant VL was recorded in all groups relative to preceding brushing levels (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Higher values of time-dependent surface loss were associated with increased dentifrice slurry abrasivity, regardless of the citric acid challenge.