Dye penetration of the smear layer and fluoride application to the dentin surface

A smear layer is formed after cavity or root canal preparation. The aim of the present study was to reinforce the dental surface in order to prevent the invasion of foreign irritants, by treating the smear layer with fluoride. Dentinal samples whose surfaces had been washed with water after the formation of a smear layer, and corresponding samples without washing, were examined by the dye penetration test, and the results were compared. Although there was no significant difference between the two groups of samples, dye penetration was suppressed by about 30% in washed samples, whereas the suppression was 20% in unwashed samples. When washed samples were treated with 1.0% SnF2, 10.0% SnF2, 7.5% Na2PO2F, 15% Na2PO2F, APF, 10 mM In(NO3)3, 100 mM TiF3, 50 mM TiF3, or 10 mM TiF3, samples washed after treatment with 1.0% SnF2 showed a dye penetration suppression of about 60% as a whole, in comparison with samples having no smear layer. Hardly any suppression of dye penetration was observed after treatment with other fluorides.