Tooth-bound fluoride and dental caries.
The cariostatic effects of tooth-bound fluoride reported in the recent literature are reviewed. Several treatment procedures which can increase the tooth-bound fluoride content are described. Based on this information, it is suggested that effectiveness of currently used topical fluoride treatments may be significantly increased by (1) including in the regimen a dicalcium-phosphate-dihydrate-forming treatment so that a portion of the labile fluoride is re-incorporated as tooth-bound fluoride, and (2) employing application methods which ensure the effective delivery of treatment agents to the fissures, and to approximal and cervical surfaces, where most caries occurs.
Chow
L C
LC
American Dental Association Health Foundation, Paffenbarger Research Center, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899.
D000818:Animals; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000378:metabolism; D003804:Dentin / Q000378:metabolism; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides