Enamel uptake and patient exposure to fluoride: comparison of APF gel and foam.
This crossover study with 46 child dental patients compared two topical APF products, a gel and a foam, with respect to the amounts of product and fluoride (F) applied, salivary F concentrations, and enamel F uptake. Half the subjects were treated for 4 min with the gel first and the other half with the foam. After approximately 16 days, each patient received a second treatment using the other product. An acid-etch enamel biopsy was performed and whole saliva samples were collected before and after each treatment. Significantly less F was applied to the teeth and retained by the subjects when the APF foam was used. Salivary F concentrations after treatment with the gel were higher than after treatment with the foam. The differences in enamel F uptake at both 15 min and 16 days after the APF applications, however, were not significant. We concluded that: 1) the two products are equivalent with respect to enamel F uptake; 2) only about one-fifth as much of the foam product is required for adequate coverage of the teeth, which significantly reduces F exposure and retention by the patient.
Whitford
G M
GM
Adair
S M
SM
Hanes
C M
CM
Perdue
E C
EC
Russell
C M
CM
D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000378:metabolism*; D004304:Dosage Forms; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism
D004304:Dosage Forms; D005782:Gels; D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride