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Enamel solubility reduction by acidulated phosphate-fluoride (APF) treatment
Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
|January 1, 1978
Summary
Acidulated phosphate-fluoride (APF) solutions effectively reduce enamel solubility. Diluting commercial APF solutions with water in dental offices maintains their enamel solubility reducing potential, even at lower concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Dental materials science
- Caries prevention research
Background:
- Acidulated phosphate-fluoride (APF) is a common topical fluoride treatment.
- Understanding the stability and efficacy of diluted APF solutions is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the enamel solubility reducing (ESR) potential of acidulated phosphate-fluoride (APF) solutions with varying fluoride concentrations.
- To determine if commercial APF solutions can be diluted in a dental office setting without losing significant efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Tested the ESR potential of commercial APF (1.23% F, pH 3.0) and its dilutions.
- Used phosphoric acid or distilled water for dilutions.
- Assessed effectiveness at different fluoride levels, including 0.12% F.
Main Results:
- Commercial APF (1.23% F) reduced enamel solubility by approximately 80%.
- Fivefold dilutions with phosphoric acid or water showed no significant loss in ESR potential.
- Further dilution to 0.12% F significantly decreased the ESR potential.
Conclusions:
- Commercially available APF products (1.23%) can be diluted several-fold with distilled water in dental offices.
- Dilution does not significantly compromise the ability of APF solutions to reduce enamel solubility.
- This finding supports the cost-effective and practical use of diluted APF in clinical settings.