Fluorine levels in in vitro remineralized enamel after treatment with 1000 ppm F as NaF, MFP or mixed solutions

By means of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) an investigation has been made of the F uptake and the transport of fluorine-carrying ions in artificially carious human enamel after in vitro remineralization. The fluoridation was effected from solutions of pure Na2FPO3 (MFP), pure NaF, or mixtures of MFP and NaF, always with a total F content of 1000 atom-ppm. The recorded in depth profiles of F concentration show that, after 14 days of remineralization, 1) neither the acquired F levels nor the F distributions are greatly dependent on whether fluoridation is from NaF, MFP or mixtures, 2) the F distribution shape is not strongly influenced by a 3-month storage followed by remineralization, 3) the penetration of F beyond the lesion is generally deeper from NaF than from MFP, and 4) the effect of long storage on penetration depth is mainly noticeable for MFP-treated specimens.