Erosive Potential of Medicated Syrups on Primary Teeth: An In vitro Comparative Study

Aims: This in vitro study was designed to investigate the exogenous erosive potential of most commonly used pediatric syrup medicaments on primary teeth. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavaram, India, 2012 to 2013. Methodology: The erosive potential of 17 syrups was assessed by measuring their inherent pH, titratable acidity, viscosity and ability to erode enamel. The inherent pH and titratable acidity of syrups were measured using digital pH meter and viscosity was determined using Brookfield viscometer. Enamel surface changes were evaluated using optical 3D profilometer.Results: Api –up (appetizer) showed the least pH and Azee (Azithromycin) exhibited the highest pH. The titratable acidity was greater for Api-up (5.40ml) and least for Tonoferron (0.20ml). Asthalin exhibited highest viscosity and Ondem showed least viscosity. All the test syrups caused some degree of enamel loss, however, Api – up caused the greatest and Azee caused the least degree of enamel loss at three time intervals. Conclusion: The medicated syrups with low inherent pH and high viscosity showed to cause a greater dissolution of enamel. However, certain syrups with low viscosity had shown higher degree of enamel loss due to their inherent acidic pH and those with high viscosity Showed lesser degree of enamel loss due to their basic pH. Hence, these results proved that inherent pH is the most critical factor for erosion.