Effects of topical fluoride agents on artificial enamel lesion formation in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of topical fluoride agents on enamel erosion in vitro.


METHODS
Ten premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes were sectioned buccolingually and then longitudinally into two parts, so that four specimens were obtained from each tooth. The specimens were randomly assigned to one of four groups. The following topical fluoride agents were applied to the specimens: 1% titanium tetrafluoride (0.32 MF) for 1 minute; Duraphat (2.26% F) and Elmex (1.25% F) for 4 minutes. In the control group, no solution was applied. The specimens were treated with an artificial caries solution for 4, 8, 12, and 16 days. Calcium (Ca++) concentration was determined by an atomic absorbtion spectrophotometer, while fluoride (F-) concentration was determined with an ion-selective electrode. One-way analysis of variance tests were performed on cumulative concentrations of calcium and fluoride at days 4, 8, 12, and 16.


RESULTS
Specimens treated with titanium tetrafluoride lost significantly less calcium than did specimens in the other two test groups at all time periods. Titanium tetrafluoride-treated specimens released significantly less fluoride than did Duraphat- or Elmex-treated specimens at day 16.


CONCLUSIONS
Titanium tetrafluoride was found to be more effective than the other fluoride agents in preventing artificial enamel lesion formation.
Tezel
Hüseyin
H
Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, Aegean University, Faculty of Dentistry, Izmir, Turkey. tezel@dishekimligi.ege.edu.tr
Ergücü
Zeynep
Z
Onal
Banu
B
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000588:Amines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D003959:Diamines; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017736:Ion-Selective Electrodes; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000209:etiology*
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003959:Diamines; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; C023807:sodium fluoride topical preparation; C495399:Olaflur; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D014025:Titanium; D005459:Fluorides; D002118:Calcium; C032240:titanium tetrafluoride