Effects of Zinc, Iron, and Copper on Bovine Enamel Erosion Evaluated Using Transverse Microradiography

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the effect of trace elements on enamel erosion due to citric acid eliminating other factors that can affect enamel erosion. Method: Forty enamel specimens were obtained by embedding bovine enamel blocks into a quick cure resin. Half of the enamel surface of the specimens was covered with nail varnish. The specimens were randomly divided into control (Ct), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) groups and immersed in 1% citric acid solution, 1% citric acid solution with 10 mmol/L zinc, 1% citric acid solution with 10 mmol/L iron, or 1% citric acid solution with 10 mmol/L copper, respectively, at 37°C for 5 h. After immersion, the demineralized lesion depth was measured using transverse microradiography (TMR) and compared between groups using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. Results: The lesion depth was significantly higher in the Zn (218.9 ± 88.5 μm) group than that in the Ct group (116.3 ± 22.1 μm) (p < 0.01). Conclusion: It was suggested that zinc has decalcification properties when consumed with citric acid, while iron and copper don’t have such properties.