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Volume 11, Issue 3 (9-2026)                   J Res Dent Maxillofac Sci 2026, 11(3): 232-241 | Back to browse issues page

Ethics code: IR.IAU.DENTAL.REC.1404.009


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Farahzadfard M, Alamdari Mahd M. Effect of Commonly Used Pediatric Medications on Primary Enamel Microhardness: An In Vitro Study. J Res Dent Maxillofac Sci 2026; 11 (3) :232-241
URL: http://jrdms.dentaliau.ac.ir/article-1-1626-en.html
1- School of Dentistry, TeMS.c., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, TeMS.c., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. , mandanaalamdari@iau.ac.ir
Abstract:   (943 Views)
Background and Aim: This study assessed the effect of commonly used pediatric medications on primary enamel microhardness.  
Materials and Methods: This in vitro study was conducted on 40 extracted sound primary anterior teeth. The teeth were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=10) to expose a 3x3 mm window on their buccal surface to acetaminophen syrup (group A), amoxicillin (group B), iron drops (group C), and artificial saliva (group D) after measuring their baseline microhardness with a hardness tester. The pH of the medications was also measured. The teeth were immersed in 5 mL of the respective drug 3 times/day in groups A and B, and once a day in group C, each time for 3 minutes for 5 days. Their secondary microhardness was then measured. One random tooth from each group underwent scanning electron microscopy (SEM) assessment in the last day of the intervention. Erosion was categorized using the Primary Enamel Surface (PES) scale. Data were analyzed using repeated measures and one-way ANOVA, paired t-test, and Tamhane’s test (alpha=0.05).   
Results: The microhardness change was significantly greater in the iron drops than in the acetaminophen (P<0.001), amoxicillin (P<0.001), and control (P<0.001) groups. Acetaminophen caused a significantly greater reduction than amoxicillin (P<0.001). The reduction in microhardness was only significant in the acetaminophen (P<0.001) and iron drops (P<0.001) groups.
Conclusion: This in vitro study showed that iron drops followed by acetaminophen caused a significant reduction in primary enamel microhardness. The microhardness reduction by amoxicillin did not reach statistical significance.
 
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Type of Study: Original article | Subject: pediatric

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