Scanning Electron Microscopic Evaluation of Erosive Potential of Pediatric Liquid Medicaments on Primary Teeth

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric liquid medicaments (PLMs) are the most accepted form of medication prescribed for children to treat different infirmities, however, their harmful effects on a child’s dental health are unaware for most of us. The present in vitro study was aimed to evaluate the erosive potential of two commonly used PLM’S on primary teeth and the remineralizing potential of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) paste on these erosive lesions. Materials and Methods: Forty deciduous teeth were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 8) in which group I samples were treated with Meftagesic-P, group II with Kofarest-PD, group III with Meftagesic P + CPP-ACP paste, group IV with Kofarest-PD + CPP-ACP paste, and group V samples were immersed in artificial saliva (control). Photomicrographs were taken at 2000× and 5000× magnification using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results: SEM photomicrographs elicited erosive changes in the enamel surface of all the samples in both groups I and II, however, the erosive changes in group II samples were more pronounced. The enamel surface of group III and IV samples that were treated with CPP-ACP after exposure to medicaments showed remineralization of erosed areas. Conclusion: Both the PLMs used in the study showed an erosive effect on the primary enamel surface. The severity of erosion increased with the exposure time. However, the application of CPP-ACP paste following the exposure to PLMs showed noticeable remineralization.