The Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) in South Africa holds approximately three quarters of the world’s viable chromite ore deposits. Most chromite is used for the production of ferrochromium (FeCr), which is a relatively crude alloy. Several chromite seams exist in the BIC. The most economically viable seams are the lower group 6 (LG6), the middle group 1 and 2 (MG1 and 2) and the upper group 2 (UG2) seams. The LG and MG seams are exploited specifically for their chromium content, whereas the UG2 seam is mainly exploited for platinum group minerals (PGM). However, the upgraded UG2 chromite in the PGM tailing is increasingly being used as a feedstock for FeCr production. Many different process variations exist for FeCr production. However, the process option applied in most green and brown field FeCr expansion projects during the last two decades in South Africa has been the oxidative sintered process (also referred to as the Outotec or Outokumpu process). Notwithstanding the common application of the oxidative sintered pelletised feed technology in the South African FeCr industry, and the increased utilisation of beneficiated UG2 ore, a direct comparison of the physical properties of oxidative sintered pellets produced from UG2 with the physical properties of that produced with conventional metallurgical grade chromite ore is currently lacking in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Therefore, the physical properties of oxidative sintered pellets produced from a typical beneficiated South African UG2 ore were compared with the physical properties of that produced with conventional South African metallurgical grade chromite ore in this study. The results indicated that the case study metallurgical grade chromite ore required 13 kWh/t more energy to mill than the case study UG2 ore prior to pelletisation, which can lead to substantial cost savings. The compressive strength of the oxidative sintered pellets of both case study ores statistically showed that oxidative sintered pellets made from UG2 ore Abstract were the same or better than those prepared from metallurgical grade chromite ore. A comparison of the abrasion strengths of the oxidative sintered pellets of both case study ores indicated that the pellets prepared from UG2 ore were superior compared to the metallurgical grade pellets. The reasons for the superior UG2 pellet strength were investigated with backscatter-, secondary electron- and elemental X-ray mapping scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which indicated that differences in crystalline structures at least partially contributed to the differences observed. Results presented here can be utilised by FeCr producers to better quantify the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of UG2 ore for FeCr production. / MSc (Chemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) in South Africa holds approximately three quarters of the world’s viable chromite ore deposits. Most chromite is used for the production of ferrochromium (FeCr), which is a relatively crude alloy. Several chromite seams exist in the BIC. The most economically viable seams are the lower group 6 (LG6), the middle group 1 and 2 (MG1 and 2) and the upper group 2 (UG2) seams. The LG and MG seams are exploited specifically for their chromium content, whereas the UG2 seam is mainly exploited for platinum group minerals (PGM). However, the upgraded UG2 chromite in the PGM tailing is increasingly being used as a feedstock for FeCr production. Many different process variations exist for FeCr production. However, the process option applied in most green and brown field FeCr expansion projects during the last two decades in South Africa has been the oxidative sintered process (also referred to as the Outotec or Outokumpu process). Notwithstanding the common application of the oxidative sintered pelletised feed technology in the South African FeCr industry, and the increased utilisation of beneficiated UG2 ore, a direct comparison of the physical properties of oxidative sintered pellets produced from UG2 with the physical properties of that produced with conventional metallurgical grade chromite ore is currently lacking in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Therefore, the physical properties of oxidative sintered pellets produced from a typical beneficiated South African UG2 ore were compared with the physical properties of that produced with conventional South African metallurgical grade chromite ore in this study. The results indicated that the case study metallurgical grade chromite ore required 13 kWh/t more energy to mill than the case study UG2 ore prior to pelletisation, which can lead to substantial cost savings. The compressive strength of the oxidative sintered pellets of both case study ores statistically showed that oxidative sintered pellets made from UG2 ore Abstract were the same or better than those prepared from metallurgical grade chromite ore. A comparison of the abrasion strengths of the oxidative sintered pellets of both case study ores indicated that the pellets prepared from UG2 ore were superior compared to the metallurgical grade pellets. The reasons for the superior UG2 pellet strength were investigated with backscatter-, secondary electron- and elemental X-ray mapping scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which indicated that differences in crystalline structures at least partially contributed to the differences observed. Results presented here can be utilised by FeCr producers to better quantify the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of UG2 ore for FeCr production. / MSc (Chemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

An experimental investigation is presented on a novel High Temperature Falling Particle Receiver for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) to quantify the extent of erosion of the receiver structural materials by the flowing particulate matter. The current receiver design uses a series of metal wire mesh screens to slow down the particulate flow through the receiver in order to increase their residence time thereby achieving the desired temperature rise within the receiver without the need for particulate recirculation. The solid particulates are gravity fed through the receiver where they absorb the incident thermal energy before flowing to a high temperature storage bin upstream of a heat exchanger where the heat stored in the particulate material is transferred to the working fluid for the power cycle. To assess the effective life of the receiver, this experimental investigation is undertaken. This thesis includes the development of an apparatus to test wire meshes under high temperature and particle abrasion conditions, and the presentation and analysis of these results.

Objective: The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of chairside surface treatments on biaxial flexural strength and subsurface damage of monolithic zirconia ceramics. Methods: Specimens (15x15x1.2 mm3) were prepared by sectioning from commercially available zirconia blanks (BruxZirTM) and sintering according to manufacturer's recommendations. Fully dense specimens were randomly divided into five groups (n=30) and treated as follows; 1) as-sintered (AS) 2) air abraded with 50 μm alumina fine particles (AAF), 3) air abraded with 250 μm coarse alumina particles (AAC), 4) ground (G), and 5) ground and polished (GP) to mimic chairside and dental laboratory treatments. Microstructural changes were thoroughly characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy, surface profilometry and atomic force microscopy. Crystalline phases and their depth profile were investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD). Results were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Tukey's adjustment for multiple comparisons. A 0.05 level of significance was used. Reliability was evaluated by Weibull analysis. Results: All treatment groups exhibited a significant difference in mean surface roughness (Rq) compared to the as-sintered group (p<0.05). The AAC group showed the highest surface roughness at 1.08 ± 0.17 μm, followed by the G, AAF and AS groups. The GP group exhibited the lowest surface roughness. The group air abraded with fine particles showed the highest mean biaxial flexural strength (1662.62 ± 202.58 MPa), but was not different from the ground and polished group (1567.19 ± 209.76 MPa). The groups air abraded with coarse particles or ground with diamond bur exhibited comparable mean biaxial flexural strength at 1371.37 ±147.62 MPa and 1356.98 ±196.77 MPa, respectively. The as-sintered group had the lowest mean biaxial flexural strength at 1202.29 ±141.92 MPa. The depth of compressive stress layer, measured by GIXRD was approximately 50 μm in the AAF group, followed by the AAC group with ~35 μm, ~10 μm for the ground group and ~5 μm for the ground and polished group. Deep subsurface cracks were observed in the AAC group (~80 μm in depth) and G group (~25 μm in depth), whereas shallower flaws were present in the AAF and GP groups at 10 and 3 μm, respectively. Weibull analysis represented a greater reliability in zirconia specimens treated with air abrasion groups. Conclusions: Surface treatments induced the t-m transformation in 3Y-TZP and associated development of compressive stresses to a depth that varied with the severity of the treatment performed. GIXRD revealed that AAF led to the thickest compressive stress layer, followed by AAC, G and GP. SEM revealed that subsurface damage was most severe with AAC, followed by G, AAF and GP. We propose that the flexural strength results can be explained by the difference between the depth of the compressive stress layer induced by the transformation and the depth of the subsurface flaws.

ABSTRACT 1: Abrasive treatment and subsequent electroporation of the basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus in a hypertonic buffer was investigated as a potential method of transforming of intact hyphæ. Mycelia, which are not capable of being transformed via electroporation due to interference by the cell wall, were abraded in an attempt to mechanically degrade the cell wall prior to electroporation. An electroporation field strength of 12,500 V/cm for 500 μs to 1.25 ms was found to be optimal based upon mortality effects. A 32 μm carborundum abrasive was initially evaluated but was quickly found to be inappropriately large so a corundum abrasive with an average size of 300 nm was focused on. Vortexing as well as low and medium power ultrasonic agitation with the corundum abrasive were investigated for their potential to cause mechanical degradation of the cell walls. Vortexing and low power sonication were found to be ineffective at causing adequate degradation while medium power sonication was found to be both ineffective and super lethal. While the possibility of mechanical abrasion facilitating transformation via electroporation remains, it is unlikely that conventional methods of agitation will be effective. ABSTRACT 2: The dose response of the basidiomycetes Pleurotus ostreatus, Agrocybe aegerita and Cordyceps millitaris to the antibiotic hygromycin B was tested on two common and one in-house solid growth media. The three species were grown on Potato dextrose agar, malt extract agar and an agar containing maltose, yeast-extract, peptone and glucose with concentrations of hygromycin B from zero to 100 μg/ml for 11 to 14 days. Micrometer measurements were used to determine the growth rate of each species on each media. Significant differences in hygromycin B tolerance for each species between the three media types were evident (p-value < .0001 by ANOVA for all). Neither the media type nor the growth rate on hygromycin B free plates were useful predictors of effective hygromycin B doses so optimization should be performed on every strain and media type used for selection.

The objective of this study was to compare effect of surface treatment and fatigue to the retention of zirconia crowns luted to two different heights of titanium abutments. Thirty titanium base 3.5 mm (n = 15) and 5.5 mm in height (n = 15) and thirty zirconia crowns were used. Group A (n = 10), 3.5-mm-height titanium base with no surface treatment; Group B (n = 5), 3.5-mm-height titanium base with surface treatment; Group C (n = 5), 3.5-mm-height titanium base with no surface treatment with fatigue test; Group D (n = 5), 3.5-mm-height titanium base with surface treatment and fatigue test. The identical group allocation was utilized to 5.5-mm-height titanium base groups, Group E, F, G and H respectively. All zirconia crowns and titanium abutments of the groups with surface treatment were particle abraded with 50 μm alumina. All specimens were subjected to a pull-out test. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test. Pull-out retention forces for each group were: Group A: 288 ± 97.5 N, Group B: 198.71 ± 82.94 N, Group C: 537.61 ± 80.13 N, Group D: 600.11 ± 27.23 N, Group E: 240.68 ± 54.33 N, Group F: 270.92 ± 16.43 N, Group G: 707.03 ± 32.30 N, and Group H: 831.19 ± 55.50 N. Particle abrasion of the titanium base significantly increased zirconia crown retention. The height of the titanium base had a significant influence on retention force in particle-abraded groups. The fatigue test did not decrease retention force. / 2018-09-26T00:00:00Z

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate if additive manufacturing (AM) is an appropriate manufacturing method for insoles in comparison to vacuum forming (VF) and subtractive manufacturing (SM) in regards of material properties such as abrasion resistance. Background: Traditionally insoles are manufactured with either VF or SM. AM has been around for some decades but implementation into orthotic and prosthetic (O&amp;P) business has not been accomplished yet. Therefore, the quality of the products produced with AM must be tested in comparison with traditional methods. Method: A comparison of samples for the mentioned manufacturing methods was done with the help of an abrasion testing machine with the standard ASTM G133. Two samples were produced from each manufacturing method and respectively tested for one and two hours. All the samples were weighed before and after the tests with the help of a four decimal scale. The difference in weight before and after the test and coefficient of friction was evaluated. The weight difference was analyzed to see how much material had been removed from the sample. The percentage of wear loss was calculated for each specific sample, both for one hour and two hours of testing. No statistical analysis could be made due to the limited amount of samples and testing time. Result: No statistically significant could be found for either wear loss or the coefficient of friction as mentioned above. Conclusion: A conclusion whether which material having the best abrasion resistance for respectively manufacturing method could not be drawn due to limited results. This study can be seen as a pilot study where the methodology can be used in further studies. Further research on AM needs to be conducted.

Este estudo possui duas partes distintas: 1. in vivo (randomizado e longitudinal) que teve como objetivo avaliar protocolos de tratamento para hipersensibilidade dentinária com laser de baixa potência (com diferentes dosagens), laser de alta potência e agente dessensibilizante, por um período de 12 e 18 meses; e 2. in vitro que teve como objetivo analisar a perda de estrutura de dois dentifrícios distintos (Colgate Total 12 e Colgate Pró Alívio) e analisar a permeabilidade dentinária dos tratamentos da etapa 01, associados aos dentifrícios, após diferentes ciclos de abrasão. Na parte in vivo, as lesões cervicais não cariosas de 32 voluntários, previamente submetidos aos critérios de elegibilidade ou exclusão, foram divididas em nove grupos (n=10): G1: Gluma Desensitizer (Heraeus Kulzer), G2: Laser de baixa potência com baixa dosagem (Photon Lase, DMC) (três pontos de irradiação vestibulares e um ponto apical: 30 mW, 10 J/cm2, 9 seg por ponto com o comprimento de onda de 810nm). Foram realizadas três sessões com um intervalo de 72 horas), G3: Laser de baixa potência com alta dosagem (um ponto cervical e um ponto apical: 100 mW, 90 J/cm2, 11 seg por ponto com o comprimento de onda de 810nm. Foram realizadas três sessões com um intervalo de 72 horas), G4: Laser de baixa potência com baixa dosagem + Gluma Desensitizer, G5: Laser de baixa potência com alta dosagem + Gluma Desensitizer, G6: Laser de Nd:YAG (Power LaserTM ST6, Lares Research®), em contato com a superfície dental: 1,0W, 10 Hz e 100 mJ, ? 85 J/cm2, com o comprimento de onda de 1064nm, G7: Laser de Nd:YAG + Gluma Desensitizer, G8: Laser de Nd:YAG + Laser de baixa potência com baixa dosagem, G9: Laser de Nd:YAG + Laser de baixa potência com alta dosagem. O nível de sensibilidade de cada voluntário foi avaliado através da escala visual analógica de dor (VAS) com auxílio do ar da seringa tríplice e exploração com sonda após 12 e 18 meses do tratamento. Na parte 02, in vitro, foram utilizados terceiros molares humanos não irrompidos e recém-extraídos. Todos foram limpos e tiveram suas raízes separadas das coroas. As raízes foram seccionadas em quadrados de dentina com dimensões de 4x4x2 mm, os quais foram embutidos em resina Epoxi e devidamente polidos até uma curvatura de 0,3 ?m, analisados em perfilometria ótica. Estes foram imersos em solução de EDTA 17% por 2min para abertura dos túbulos e armazenados em uma solução de Soro Fetal Bovino diluído em salina tamponada com fosfato. Os espécimes foram divididos aleatoriamente em 12 grupos (n=10) G1: Sem tratamento de superfície, sem dentifrício; G2: Nd:YAG/sem dentifrício; G3: Gluma/sem dentifrício; G4: Nd:YAG + Gluma/sem dentifrício; G5: Sem tratamento de superfície/Colgate Total 12; G6: Nd:YAG/Colgate Total 12; G7: Gluma/Colgate Total 12; G8: Nd:YAG + Gluma/Colgate Total 12; G9: Sem tratamento de superfície/Colgate Pró Alívio; G10: Nd:YAG/Colgate Pró Alívio; G11: Gluma/Colgate Pró Alívio; G12: Nd:YAG + Gluma/Colgate Pró Alívio. Em seguida, as superfícies receberam a aplicação de fitas adesivas nas duas margens, mantendo uma área central de teste exposta de 4 x 1 mm, onde foram realizados os tratamentos de superfície e os ciclos de abrasão correspondentes a 1, 7, 30 e 90 dias de escovação (52 ciclos, 210 segundos de contato com o slurry; 361 ciclos, 1470 segundos de contato com o slurry; 1545 ciclos, 6300 segundos de contato com o slurry; 4635 ciclos, 18900 segundos de contato com o slurry, respectivamente). A cada etapa de abrasão, foi realizada análise em Perfilometria Ótica. Para as analises de permeabilidade e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura, foram utilizadas amostras circulares de 6 mm de diâmetro e 1 mm de espessura de dentina obtidas das coroas dentais. Estas foram divididas aleatoriamente nos mesmos grupos já descritos anteriormente, sendo que 120 espécimes foram utilizados para permeabilidade (n=10) e 36 para MEV (n=3). Ambas as análises foram realizadas após imersão no EDTA; após tratamentos para a sensibilidade; pós 1 dia, 7 dias, 30 dias e 90 dias de escovação. Após análise estatística pode-se concluir que, in vivo, todos os tratamentos foram eficazes para a redução da hipersensibilidade dentinária. Ainda que o nível da sensibilidade dos pacientes aumentou numericamente, estes não são considerados estatisticamente diferentes a partir de 12 meses. Portanto, até a avaliação de 18 meses, podemos concluir que não houve um aumento na sensibilidade dentinária desde a sua diminuição pós-tratamento. In vitro, pode-se concluir que todos os tratamentos foram capazes de diminuir a permeabilidade dentinária. O dentifrício Total 12 apresentou-se como o mais abrasivo em comparação com o dentifrício Pro Alivio, pois este último promoveu uma perda de estrutura menor, porém ambos não apresentaram aumento na permeabilidade nos tempos de escovação. As microscopias eletrônicas de varredura mostram a formação da smear layer, obliterando os túbulos para ambos os dentifricios. Como conclusão, pode-se afirmar que todos os agentes dessensibilizantes foram efetivos, mesmo apresentando estratégias de ação diferentes. Os dentifrícios são igualmente interessantes para o uso caseiro por ocasionarem oclusão tubular e a associação de tratamentos (caseiro e de consultório) parece ser uma alternativa eficaz no tratamento da hipersensibilidade dentinária. / This study has two distinct parts: in vivo (randomized and longitudinal) that aimed to assess different protocols for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity with low power laser (with different doses), high power laser and a desensitizing agent, for a period of 12 and 18 months; and an in vitro part that aimed to analyze the loss of structure of two toothpastes (Colgate Total 12 and Colgate Pro Relief) and analyze dentin permeability and micrographs after different abrasion cycles. In the in vivo part, the lesions from 32 patients, that were submitted to the inclusion and exclusion criterias, were divided into nine groups (n = 10): G1: Gluma Desensitizer (Heraeus Kulzer), G2: Low power laser with low dose (Photon Lase, DMC, three points of irradiation in vestibular portion and an apical point: 30 mW, 10 J/cm2, 9 sec per point with the wavelength of 810nm, with three sessions with an interval of 72 hours) G3: low power laser with high dose (one pointin the cervical area, and one apical point: 100 mW, 90 J/cm2, 11 sec per point with the wavelength of 810nm in three sessions with an interval of 72 hours), G4: Low power laser with low dose + Gluma Desensitizer, G5: Low power laser with high dose + Gluma Desensitizer, G6: Nd:YAG laser (Power LaserTM ST6, Research® in contact: 1.0W, 10 Hz and 100 mJ, ? 85 J/cm2, with the wavelength of 1064nm,), G7: Nd:YAG laser + Gluma Desensitizer, G8: Nd:YAG laser + low power laser with low dose G9: Nd:YAG laser + low power laser with high dose. The level of sensitivity of each volunteer was assessed by visual analogue scale of pain (VAS) with the aid of air from the triple syringe and exploration probe, 12 and 18 months after treatment. In the in vitro part, unerupted and recently extracted human third molars were used. All of them were clean and had their roots separated. The roots were cut into squares of dentin with dimensions 4x4x2 mm, which were included in epoxy resin and polished to a curvature of 0,3 ?m, analyzed by profilometry. Samples were immersed in 17% EDTA solution for 2 minutes and stored in a Fetal Bovine Serum diluted in phosphate buffered saline. The specimens were randomly divided into 12 groups (n=10) G1: No surface treatment without toothpaste; G2: Nd:YAG laser without toothpaste; G3: Gluma without toothpaste; G4: Nd:YAG laser + Gluma/without toothpaste; G5: No surface treatment/Total 12; G6: Nd:YAG laser/Total 12; G7: Gluma/Total 12; G8: Nd:YAG laser + Gluma/Total 12; G9: No surface treatment/Pro Relief; G10: Nd:YAG laser/Pro Relief; G11: Gluma/ Pro Relief; G12: Nd:YAG laser + Gluma/Pro Relief. Then, the surfaces received the application of adhesive tape on both sides, keeping a central area of exposed test of 4 x 1 mm, where the surface treatments were performed under the corresponding abrasion cycles 1, 7, 30 and 90 days of brushing (52 cycles, 210 sec in contact with the slurry; 361 cycles, 1470 sec in contact with the slurry; 1545 cycles, 6300 sec in contact with the slurry; 4635 cycles, 18900 sec in contact with the slurry, respectively). After each abrasion cycle, analysis was performed on Optical Profilometry, aiming to analyze the loss of tooth structure under the influence of toothpastes used. For the analysis of permeability and scanning electron microscopy, circular samples of 6 mm in diameter and 1 mm thick dentin obtained from dental crowns were used. These were randomly divided into the same groups previously described. 120 specimens were used for permeability (n=10) and 36 to SEM (n=3). Both analyzes were carried out after immersion in EDTA; after treatment; 1 day after brushing; 7 days after brushing; 30 days after brushing; 90 days after the brushing. After statistical analysis it can be concluded that in the in vivo part all treatments were effective in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity, and even the level of sensitivity of the patients had numerically increased, they were considered as not statistically different from 12 months. Therefore, until the 18 months evaluation, statistically, it can be said that there was not an increased in sensitivity levels. In the in vitro part, it can be concluded that all treatments were able to reduce dentin permeability. The toothpaste Total 12 presented as the more abrasive, because it promoted a higher structure loss when compared to Pro Alivio, but showed no increase in permeability during brushing. The scanning electron microscopy analysis showed the formation of smear layer that promoted the obliteration of the tubules. As a conclusion, it can be affirmed that all desensitizing agentes were effective, even with different strategies. Both dentifrices are igually interesting for \"at home use\" due to the oclusion of dentinal tubules. The association of treatments (at home and in office) seems to be an effective alternative for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar in situ o efeito da saliva, associada ou não ao flúor, sobre a estrutura dentária do esmalte que recebeu profilaxia prévia com jato de bicarbonato de sódio. Foram utilizados 40 blocos de esmalte de dente bovino de 4x4 mm, nos quais foi aplicado o jato de bicarbonato de sódio por 10s, simulando a realização de uma profilaxia profissional. Após essa etapa, os blocos foram divididos em dois grupos (GI e GII) e montados em dispositivos intra-bucais, os quais foram utilizados por 10 voluntários, durante dois períodos experimentais cruzados e cegos de quatro horas. Os blocos do GI foram expostos diretamente à saliva in situ, enquanto os do GII, foram expostos à saliva associada ao flúor sob forma de bochecho com solução de NaF a 0,2%, durante o minuto inicial. As possíveis alterações ocorridas na superfície do esmalte após as etapas do experimento foram avaliadas através de testes de microdureza superficial (Knoop-25g/5s) e de desgaste. Os dados de microdureza superficial foram analisados pela Análise de Variância a dois Critérios (ANOVA) e teste de Tukey (p<0,05) e os dados de desgaste pelo teste T pareado, para a diferença entre perfil inicial e final (p<0,05). Não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante entre GI e GII, para as variáveis dureza e desgaste. A média de desgaste após profilaxia não apresentou diferença da média após a etapa in situ. No entanto, a média de microdureza no início, após a profilaxia e após a etapa in situ foi respectivamente: GI (340±16,6a; 329±35,7b; 354±37,8a) e GII (338±15,6a; 312 ±46,3b; 340±21,8a). Com base nos resultados encontrados pôde-se concluir que a saliva apresentou efeito semelhante a saliva associada ao bochecho fluoretado e após 4 horas de remineralização in situ não houve recuperação em altura de parte da estrutura dentária perdida devido à aplicação do jato de bicarbonato de sódio sobre o esmalte hígido. / The aim of this in situ study was to evaluate the effect of the saliva, associated or not to fluoride, on the superficial enamel structure in which a sodium bicarbonate jet was applied. Forty bovine enamel specimens (4x4 mm) were subjected to sodium bicarbonate jet for 10 seconds to simulate a prophylaxis procedure. The specimens were then divided the in two groups (GI and GII) and were mounted in a intra-oral device which were used by 10 volunteers for two cross-over, blind experimental periods of 4 hours. The specimens of GI were directly exposed to saliva in situ, while those of GII were exposed to saliva associated to fluoride by mouthrinsing 0,2%NaF solution on the first minute of the experiment. The changes on the enamel surface were analyzed by superficial microhardness test (Knoop, 25g/5s) and perfilometry (wear). Two-way ANOVA and Tukey test (p<0,05) were used for microhardness data. The wear was analyzed by T pare test for the initial and final profile difference (p<0,05). There were no statistically difference between GI and GII, in respect to microhardness and wear. The mean enamel wear after sodium bicarbonate jet application was not significantly different from the enamel mean wear after the in situ phase. However the microhardness mean values at baseline, after sodium bicarbonate jet application and after in situ phase were respectively: GI (340±16.6a; 329±35.7b; 354±37.8a) e GII (338±15.6a; 312 ±46.3b; 340±21.8a). In according to the obtained results it was concluded that saliva presented the same effect on enamel recovery when compared to saliva associated to fluoride. After 4 hours of in situ remineralization, it was not observed the height recovery of the enamel, lost by wear due to the use of a sodium bicarbonate jet application.

O propósito desta pesquisa foi investigar a influência de diferentes fatores etiológicos na formação das lesões cervicais não cariosas (LCNCs). Essas lesões foram identificadas e classificadas de acordo com o grau de severidade e correlacionadas com os seguintes fatores: presença/ausência de facetas de desgaste e de biofilme, idade, gênero, hábitos alimentares, história médica, hábitos de higiene oral e hábitos parafuncionais. Foram avaliados 33 estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação, com idade variando entre 18 e 30 anos. A avaliação clínica constou de aplicação de índice de biofilme dental, exame clínico para identificação de LCNCs e de modelos de gesso para identificação de facetas de desgaste e aplicação de questionário. Os resultados mostraram que 25 indivíduos (75,7%) apresentaram, pelo menos, uma LCNC, com maior prevalência nas faces vestibulares, sendo os primeiros molares com maior número de lesões, seguidos pelos primeiros pré-molares; os incisivos foram os dentes com menor número de lesões; os pré-molares foram os dentes que apresentaram lesões com maiores escores de severidade; encontrou-se correlação direta entre a severidade das lesões e a idade (p=0,04; r=0,350) e entre facetas de desgaste e lesões (p<0,05; r=0,605). Dos 250 dentes com lesões cervicais, 217 (86,8%) apresentaram facetas de desgaste e 33 (13,2%) não apresentaram facetas, o que sugere a existência de relação significativa entre a presença de facetas e de lesões (p<0,05); foi encontrada, também, correlação inversa entre a presença de biofilme e o número e a severidade das lesões (p=0,02,r=-0,403; p=0,02; r=-0,426, respectivamente). Os fatores gênero, hábitos alimentares, história médica, hábitos de higiene oral e hábitos parafuncionais não foram diferenciais com relação à presença de LCNCs. Os resultados obtidos reforçam a teoria multifatorial para a etiologia dessas lesões. / The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of different etiological factors in the formation of noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs). These lesions were identified and classified according to the degree of severity and correlated with the following factors: presence/absence of wear facets and biofilm, age, gender, dietary habits, medical history, oral hygiene habits and parafunctional habits. Thirty-three undergraduate and graduate students were evaluated, with ages ranging from 18 to 30 years. Clinical evaluation consisted of dental biofilm index application, clinical examination to identify NCCLs and stone casts for identification of wear facets and questionnaire. The results showed that 25 individuals (75.7%) had at least one NCCL, with higher prevalence in buccal surfaces, the first molars with the higher number of lesions, followed by the first premolar; incisors were teeth with fewer lesions; premolars were teeth that had lesions with higher severity scores; direct correlation was found between severity of lesions and age (p=0.04, r=0.350), and between wear facets and lesions (p<0.05, r= 0.605); from 250 teeth with cervical lesions, 217 (86.8%) had wear facets and 33 (13.2%) had no facets, which suggests the existence of a significant relationship between the presence of facets and NCCLs (p<0.05); inverse correlation was found between the presence of plaque and the number and severity of NCCLs (p=0.02, r=- 0.403; p=0.02, r=-0.426, respectively). Gender, dietary habits, medical history, oral hygiene habits and parafunctional habits showed no significant differences regarding to the presence of NCCLs. The results support the multifactorial theory for the etiology of these lesions.