Fluoride enhancement of chlorhexidine uptake by hydroxyapatite and enamel powders

The purpose of the present study was to examine the in vitro adsorption of chlorhexidine and fluoride to hydroxyapatite and tooth enamel powders. Samples of hydroxyapatite or enamel powder were suspended in aqueous solutions of chlorhexidine gluconate 2.0; chlorhexidine acetate 1.5%; sodium fluoride of various concentrations (0.2%, 1%, 2%) and mixtures of sodium fluoride and chlorhexidine. The data obtained in the study show that chlorhexidine and fluoride adsorb to hydroxyapatite and tooth enamel in vitro. Furthermore, the amount of fluoride adsorbed to hydroxyapatite is reduced in the presence of chlorhexidine in the solution. A probable explanation for this effect may be that there is a competitive adsorption of fluoride and chlorhexidine on to the same binding sites on the hydroxyapatite. Additionally, the presence of fluoride dramatically increases the affinity of chlorhexidine for hydroxyapatite. The fact that fluoride strongly enhanced the adsorption of chlorhexidine to hydroxyapatite and enamel, indicates that fluoride may be of clinical interest beyond the prevention of caries.