Retention Improvement in Fluoride Application with Cold Atmospheric Plasma

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Plasma Science

Background:

• Fluoride application is a cornerstone of dental caries prevention.
• Improving fluoride retention and efficacy remains a key objective in restorative dentistry.
• Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is an emerging technology with potential biomodification applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess fluoride uptake, retention, and acid resistance on human enamel treated with acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel alone versus APF gel combined with CAP.
• To investigate the effect of repeated CAP and APF treatments on enamel properties.

Main Methods:

• Human enamel specimens were treated with 1.23% APF gel, with or without CAP, applied 4 times weekly.
• Fluoride content was measured using an electron probe microanalyzer.
• Enamel demineralization resistance was assessed by measuring the calcium-to-phosphate ratio after acid challenge and storage in artificial saliva.

Main Results:

• Fluoride uptake and retention were significantly higher in the APF + CAP group compared to the APF-only group.
• Fluoride was detectable up to 4 weeks in the APF + CAP group, but not in the APF-only group.
• Enamel treated with APF + CAP demonstrated superior resistance to demineralization, indicated by a higher calcium-to-phosphate ratio.

Conclusions:

• Combining CAP with APF gel treatment enhances fluoride retention on enamel.
• CAP-assisted fluoride application improves enamel's resistance to demineralization compared to APF gel alone.
• This synergistic approach holds promise for advanced dental caries prevention strategies.