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Summary
Dental plaque contains 5-10 ppm fluoride, primarily bound and not free ions. This bound fluoride, mainly intracellular, is unlikely to inhibit plaque acid production significantly, impacting caries prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Dental Research
- Fluoride Chemistry
Background:
- Plaque fluoride levels vary (5-10 ppm wet weight), with analytical challenges affecting data reliability.
- Existing classifications of plaque fluoride compartments may be inadequate due to limitations in detection methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate plaque fluoride compartments based on recent findings.
- To investigate the nature and location of bound fluoride in dental plaque.
- To assess the potential of bound fluoride to inhibit plaque acidogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of plaque fluoride concentrations using sensitive assays.
- Extraction of total plaque fluoride with cold 0.5 mol/L perchloric acid.
- Review of existing literature on plaque fluoride sources and compartments.
Main Results:
- Two distinct plaque fluoride pools identified: free ionic fluoride (<5%) and bound fluoride (>95%).
- Bound fluoride is largely intracellular and extractable by perchloric acid.
- Diet, saliva, and crevicular fluid are primary fluoride sources; enamel is a minor source.
Conclusions:
- A revised classification distinguishing free and bound plaque fluoride is necessary.
- Bound fluoride's intracellular location and limited release suggest minimal direct inhibition of plaque acidogenesis.
- Epidemiological correlations between plaque fluoride and caries may be confounded by water fluoride effects.