Enamel Hardness in Fluorosed and Nonfluorosed Teeth – An Original Research

Abstract Background: Hardness, which reduces the spread of disease in various periodontal structures, is dependent on various factors. It has been reported that fluorosis tends to bring a change in the hardness but lacks information. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the Vickers hardness of periodontally healthy fluorotic and nonfluorotic enamel. Materials and Methods: Fifteen fluorotic and nonfluorotic enamel specimens were mounted in Plaster of Paris in PVC rings. They were subjected to a load of 25 g for 20 s in occlusal, middle, and cervical thirds using a Zwick/ZHV Vickers hardness tester with a square-based indenter at 136° angle. Results: In fluorotic enamel specimens, no significant difference was observed between the occlusal and middle zones within the groups and between the groups. The total Vickers hardness number of the fluorotic enamel had significantly higher values (346.45±52.89) than nonfluorotic enamel (322.60±46.23). Conclusion: Within the limits of the study, fluorosis tends to increase the hardness of enamel.