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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
06:16
Microhardness Measurements on Tooth and Alveolar Bone in Rodent Oral Disease Models
Published on: April 26, 2024
Surface microhardness changes, enamel fluoride uptake, and fluoride availability from commercial toothpastes
Craig S Newby1, Jonathan E Creeth, Gareth D Rees
1GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Weybridge, Surrey, UK. Craig.S.Newby@gsk.com
The Journal of Clinical Dentistry
|November 30, 2006
Summary
New fluoride toothpastes effectively protect softened enamel from acid erosion in laboratory tests. This protection is linked to increased fluoride uptake by the enamel, showing formulation impacts performance.
Area of Science:
- Dental research
- Materials science
Background:
- Dental enamel erosion is a significant clinical concern.
- Fluoride toothpastes are widely used for caries prevention.
- Understanding their efficacy against erosion is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess a new fluoride dentifrice's protective effect on softened enamel against in vitro acid erosion.
- To correlate protective effects with enamel fluoride uptake (EFU) and free fluoride levels.
Main Methods:
- Human enamel specimens underwent daily cycling: acid challenges (citric acid, pH 3.8) and remineralization (saliva/mucin mixture).
- Surface microhardness (SMH) and enamel fluoride content were measured over 20 days.
- Standard FDA EFU procedures and slurry tests determined fluoride availability.
Main Results:
- The 1150 ppm NaF dentifrice significantly improved SMH compared to a control and a commercial toothpaste.
- The 1450 ppm NaF dentifrice also showed superior protection against erosion.
- Enamel fluoride uptake correlated with SMH improvements for NaF toothpastes.
Conclusions:
- Fluoride dentifrices enhance enamel protection against in vitro erosive challenges.
- Increased protection is directly related to fluoride uptake.
- Formulation plays a key role in dentifrice performance in in vitro models.
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