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Effect of amine fluoride on enamel surface morphology
K Rosin-Grget1, I Lincir, M Tudja
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Collegium Antropologicum
|February 24, 2001
Summary
This study found that topical amine fluoride treatments create globular precipitates on enamel, potentially acting as a fluoride reservoir. Lower fluoride concentrations resulted in larger, more stable precipitates, suggesting enhanced caries prevention.
Area of Science:
- Dental materials science
- Biomaterials
- Cariology
Background:
- Topical fluoride application is a cornerstone of dental caries prevention.
- Understanding the interaction between fluoride agents and tooth enamel is crucial for optimizing preventive strategies.
- Amine fluoride compounds are widely used in dental products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro effects of varying amine fluoride concentrations on human enamel surface morphology.
- To analyze the characteristics and composition of precipitates formed after topical fluoride application.
- To evaluate the potential of these precipitates as a fluoride reservoir for caries prevention.
Main Methods:
- Human enamel slabs were treated with amine fluoride solutions of 1.0%, 0.5%, and 0.25% fluoride.
- Treatments were applied topically for 3 minutes daily over 3 days.
- Enamel surface morphology and precipitate characteristics were examined using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS).
Main Results:
- Globular precipitates formed on all treated enamel specimens, irrespective of fluoride concentration.
- Higher fluoride concentrations led to more homogeneous precipitate distribution.
- Lower fluoride concentrations yielded larger, more cubical precipitates, suggesting greater stability and potential as a fluoride reservoir.
- SEM/EDS analysis indicated increased fluoride and decreased calcium signals on treated surfaces.
- Precipitates were alkali-soluble but not definitively identified as pure calcium fluoride.
Conclusions:
- Topical amine fluoride application induces precipitate formation on enamel surfaces.
- The size and distribution of these precipitates vary with fluoride concentration, with lower concentrations potentially forming more effective fluoride reservoirs.
- These findings suggest that amine fluoride formulations with lower fluoride concentrations may offer sustained caries protection through stable precipitate formation.