title: Effect of fluoride sustained slow-releasing device on fluoride, phosphate and calcium levels in plaque biofilms over time measured using ion chromatography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether there are any differences in fluoride (F), calcium (Ca) or phosphate (PO(4)) concentrations in natural plaque biofilms between the upper right and left quadrants using a fluoride sustained slow-releasing device (FSSRD) placed in the upper right quadrant after 7 and 21 days. To report and validate a new methodology in measuring very low concentrations of F in dental plaque and saliva using ion chromatography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one participants were divided into two groups with 11 participants in group one and 10 in group two. Each participant had a FSSRD attached to the upper right second permanent molar and two plaque generating devices (PGDs) attached to the upper right and left first permanent molars. The PGDs were recovered after 7 days in group one and 21 days in group two.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At both 7 and 21 days (right, left), F (1.081±1.517 ppm, 0.736±0.840 ppm) and (0.459±0.888 ppm, 0.203±0.139 ppm), PO(4) (1053±533 ppm, 654±246 ppm) and (865±1099 ppm, 474±304 ppm) and Ca (136±132 ppm, 74±36 ppm) and (130±109 ppm, 77±24 ppm), were higher in the quadrant containing the FSSRD but not significantly so (p>0.05). Fluoride and PO(4) fell in both quadrants between 7 and 21 days, though not significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intriguingly while not statistically significant, 21 day plaque contained less fluoride than those investigated after 7 days. While the data was not statistically significant, it seems possible that F, Ca and PO(4) accumulated around the device to a limited extent but were washed away fairly quickly and distributed around the oral cavity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FSSRD was found to reduce dmfs/DMFS by 76% and raise salivary F levels by ∼10 folds. This device is very helpful in reducing dental decay where compliance is impaired such as in patients with special needs. This study further investigates the anti-cariogenic effect of this device.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9LU, UK. haniabudiak@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abudiak
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Monty S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Duggal
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Strafford
authors.forename: K Jack
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Toumba
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D002845:Chromatography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017736:Ion-Selective Electrodes / Q000592:standards; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D010710:Phosphates; D005459:Fluorides; D002118:Calcium