Effect of Enamel Surface Coating on Staining Capability Due to Iron-Containing Supplements on Primary Teeth: An in Vitro Study

ABSTRACT Background: The staining of primary teeth due to iron-containing supplements is a common concern among parents and healthcare providers. Materials and Methods: Forty extracted primary teeth were divided into two groups of 20 each. Group A served as the control and received no enamel coating, while Group B was treated with a commercially available enamel surface coating. Both groups were then exposed to iron-containing supplements for 7 days. The teeth were assessed for color changes using a spectrophotometer before and after exposure. The degree of staining was quantified using the CIELAB color space values, specifically the ΔE* value, which indicates the change in color. Results: The mean ΔE* value in Group A (control) was 12.5 ± 1.8, indicating significant staining. In contrast, Group B (coated) showed a mean ΔE* value of 4.2 ± 1.1, reflecting minimal staining. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001), demonstrating the effectiveness of the enamel surface coating in reducing staining caused by iron supplements. Conclusion: Enamel surface coatings significantly reduce the staining effect of iron-containing supplements on primary teeth. Keywords: Enamel surface coating, iron-containing supplements, primary teeth