title: Comparative evaluation of microhardness of dentin treated with 4% titanium tetrafluoride and 1.23% acidic phosphate fluoride gel before and after exposure to acidic pH: Anex vivostudy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the effect of 4% titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) and 1.23% acidic phosphate fluoride (APF) gel on the microhardness of human coronal dentin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty noncarious extracted premolars were collected and sectioned buccolingually with the help of diamond disk. Exposing the sectioned surface, teeth were embedded in self-cure acrylic. Exposed coronal dentin was polished with abrasive papers starting with 220-5000 grit. Microhardness was evaluated by Vickers microhardness evaluator, at four different stages as follows - stage 1: Baseline values, Stage 2: Exposure of specimens to acidic environment at a pH 1 for 5 min, Stage 3: Application of 1.23% APF gel and 4% TiF4 (after dividing the specimens into two groups, i.e., Group A and B, respectively), and Stage 4: Followed by exposure of fluoridated specimens to acidic protocol as mentioned above.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pairedt-test was used to compare the readings between Groups A and B. Group B has shown greater resistance to decrease in microhardness of coronal dentin (P< 0.05) on exposure to acidic protocol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to acidic pH (1.5) of 4% TiF4, amount of increase in microhardness of dentin is <1.23% APF gel. 4% TiF4 was more effective in resisting demineralization than 1.23% APF gel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Narayana Dental College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kandanuru
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Narayana Dental College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Koppolu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Madhusudhana
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Narayana Dental College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vamsi Krishna
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Ramachandruni
authors.affiliation: MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Odisha, India.
authors.forename: Harish Madhav
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Vitta
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Narayana Dental College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Lenin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Babu
keywords: 1.23% acidic phosphate fluoride gel; 4% titanium tetrafluoride; Vickers microhardness