[Efficient fluoride enrichment using mucous membrane adhesives with slow release tablets]

In this paper a possibility to enhance biodisponibility of fluoride is described. Whereas conventional formulations for fluoride application do not succeed in sustaining elevated salivary fluoride levels despite high doses, mucoadhesive slow-release devices permit to obtain a high biodisponibility with low doses. Several mucoadhesive polymers were tested in vitro and in vivo. From the three classes of polymers (polyacrylic acid, polyethylene glycol and modified corn starch), one polyethylene glycol (mol. weight 300,000) and a mixture of modified starch with 5% polyacrylic acid showed a high adhesion together with a good biocompatibility. Tablets made from these substances, containing 0.1 mg of fluoride, were shown to sustain significantly elevated fluoride levels in saliva during several hours.