Enamel fluoride uptake of a novel water-based fluoride varnish

Aim of the in situ-study was to evaluate fluoride retention in sound and demineralised enamel after application of a novel water-based fluoride (0.12% F) varnish Mirafluorid (Hager and Werken, Germany) compared to the resin-based varnish (2.26% F) Duraphat (Colgate, USA). Each five enamel specimens were prepared from 60 bovine incisors. In 150 of these specimens, incipient lesions were produced with acidic hydroxyethylcellulose (pH 4.8; 72 h), 150 specimens were not demineralised. The samples were equally (n=100) allotted to three groups (A: Mirafluord, B: Duraphat, and C: control). Each 80 specimens (40 demineralised and 40 sound) were varnished with either Mirafluorid or Duraphat or remained unfluoridated (controls). The other specimens were used for measuring base-line fluoride content of the respective tooth. Each six specimens (three demineralised and three sound) were fixed in intraoral appliances worn for 5 days by 10 volunteers in three series (A-C). During the experiment, the samples were brushed twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste. KOH-soluble and structurally bound fluoride (0-30 and 31-60 microm depth) was determined immediately, 1, 3 and 5 days after fluoridation. Fluoride uptake was calculated as compared to base-line content and statistically analysed. Immediately after fluoridation, uptake of KOH-soluble and structurally bound fluoride was similar for Mirafluorid and Duraphat in both demineralised and sound enamel. However, at day 1, 3 and 5 statistically significantly higher amounts of KOH-soluble and structurally bound fluoride were found in the samples treated with Duraphat. For Mirafluorid only the uptake for KOH-soluble fluoride and structurally bound fluoride in the first enamel layer (0-30 microm) of the demineralised samples was significantly higher compared to the controls (C). It is concluded that the novel fluoride varnish Mirafluorid deposits less KOH-soluble and structurally bound fluoride on both demineralised and sound enamel compared to Duraphat under in situ-conditions.