206 - Effect of Acid Exposure on Properties of Pediatric Crown Materials

Effect of Acid Exposure on Properties of Prefabricated Pediatric Crown Materials

Introduction: Childhood caries is prevalent, often necessitating effective full-coverage restorations for primary teeth. Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) have been the gold standard as a restorative option for treating severely decayed teeth. Recently, aesthetic alternatives like zirconia crowns are increasingly popular. However, the impact of acid exposure, common in conditions like bulimia or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), on these materials remains understudied.

Purpose:  This study aims to compare the microhardness, surface roughness, and flexural strength of three types of prefabricated pediatric crowns (SSCs, zirconia, and NuSmile BioFlx) after exposure to simulated gastric acid versus distilled water.

Methods: Crowns for upper right first primary molars (Tooth #B) will be used: 10 each of SSC, BioFlx, and zirconia. These will be submerged in either hydrochloric acid or distilled water for 18 hours, simulating approximately two years of gastric acid exposure. Post-immersion, the crowns will be assessed for changes in microhardness, surface roughness, and flexural strength.

Results: This project is still ongoing. We hypothesize that there will be no significant change in the microhardness and surface roughness of materials tested.

Conclusions: Understanding how acid affects these materials can guide clinicians in selecting appropriate restorations for children with acid exposure, potentially improving treatment outcomes and longevity of restorations.

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