Cilense Zuanon, Angela Cristina [UNESP]Santos-Pinto, Lourdes Aparecida Martins dos [UNESP]Azevedo, Elcilaine Rizzato [UNESP]Lima, Luciana Monti [UNESP]2013-09-302014-05-202013-09-302014-05-202008-09-01Pediatric Dentistry. Chicago: Amer Acad Pediatric Dentistry, v. 30, n. 5, p. 420-423, 2008.0164-1263http://hdl.handle.net/11449/15744Purpose: This study's purpose was to assess the amount of dental enamel loss on primary incisors after manual or mechanical microabrasion with a phosphoric acid/pumice poste. Methods: Ten exfoliated primary maxillary incisors were bisected faciolingually and the resulting 20 halves were randomly assigned to 2 groups: group 1 (N=10) manual technique (plastic spatula); and group 2 (N=10) mechanical technique (rubber cup attached to a low-speed handpiece). Microabrasion was performed on the buccal surface using an abrasive paste prepared with 37% phosphoric acid and pumice. Ten 20-second applications alternated with 20-second risings were performed in each group. Enamel thickness measurements made under stereomi-croscopy before and after microabrasion were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance and pairwise t test. Results: There was a statistically significant difference (P=.003) between the manual and mechanical techniques. The mechanical technique produced a mean enamel loss of 274.16 mu m (66% of total enamel thickness), while the mean enamel loss with the manual technique was 152.59 mu m (39% of total enamel thickness). Conclusion: Manual microabrasion using a plastic spatula removed less enamel, but was sufficient to eliminate most superficial stains and defects, and may be a viable option for the microabrasive technique on primary teeth. (Pediatr Dent 2008;30:420-3) Received March 15, 2007 / Lost Revision September 19, 2007 / Revision Accepted October 19, 2007420-423engMICROABRASIONDENTAL ENAMELPRIMARY TEETHArtigoWOS:000207663600008Acesso restrito86725413773356940000-0003-2386-842X