Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
07:04
Confocal Time Lapse Imaging as an Efficient Method for the Cytocompatibility Evaluation of Dental Composites
Published on: November 9, 2014
Multi-component bioactive glasses of varying fluoride content for treating dentin hypersensitivity
Eilis Lynch1, Delia S Brauer, Natalia Karpukhina
1Adult Oral Health, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Turner Street, London E1 2AD, UK.
Summary
Fluoride-containing bioactive glasses rapidly form apatite to occlude dentinal tubules, effectively treating dentin hypersensitivity. These glasses also release beneficial ions like fluoride and strontium for enhanced dental health.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Biomineralization
Background:
- Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a prevalent dental condition.
- Bioactive glasses (BG) in dentifrices occlude dentinal tubules via hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) formation.
- Fluoride-containing BG form more stable fluorapatite, offering a sustainable DH treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of fluoride content on BG's apatite formation and dentinal tubule occlusion.
- To characterize ion release from BG for potential therapeutic benefits.
Main Methods:
- Melt-derived multi-component BG with varying fluoride content were synthesized.
- In vitro characterization included apatite formation, dentinal tubule occlusion, and ion release over 7 days.
- Techniques used: XRD, FTIR, SEM, ICP-AES.
Main Results:
- Fluoride-containing BG formed apatite within 6 hours; fluoride-free BG did not form apatite within 7 days.
- Successful occlusion of dentinal tubules was observed due to apatite crystal formation.
- BG released therapeutic ions: fluoride, strontium, and potassium.
Conclusions:
- Fluoride significantly enhances BG's apatite formation for effective DH treatment through tubule occlusion.
- BG release therapeutically active ions: strontium and fluoride (caries prevention), zinc (bactericidal), and potassium (desensitizing).
