Pharmacological evaluation of an intra-oral fluoride-releasing device in adolescents

The purpose of this study was to quantify fluoride (F) concentrations in body fluids of adolescents wearing two intra-oral fluoride-releasing devices (IFRDs) designed to release 0.10 mg F/day. Fluoride concentrations were determined potentiometrically. No significant increases occurred in urine or serum F concentrations during the 26-week device phase. Elevated salivary F concentrations were maintained throughout the device phase when broken or depleted IFRDs were replaced. However, salivary F concentrations returned to pre-device phase values by 26 weeks when the original IFRDs were maintained. These findings suggest that IFRDs can significantly elevate salivary F concentrations of adolescents without significant elevations in systemic F concentrations.