Effects of fluoride on the calcium phosphate precipitation method for dentinal tubule occlusion

Use of the calcium phosphate precipitation (CPP) method makes possible the occlusion of dentinal tubules to approximately 10 to 15 microns from the dentinal surface, and thus shows good potential for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. The precipitate formed in the dentinal tubules by the CPP method is, however, not apatite [HAP; Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2], a component of tooth and bone, but dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD; CaHPO4.2H2O). Since fluoride enhances the conversion of DCPD to HAP, we evaluated the effects of fluoride on the texture of the precipitate formed by the CPP method and on its capacity to occlude dentinal tubules in this in vitro study. CPP solution (1.0 mol/L CaHPO4.2H2O dissolved in 2.0 mol/L H3PO4) was applied to a dentin disk and was subsequently neutralized with a post-treatment solution (1 mol/L NaOH, from 0 to 0.1 mol/L NaF). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the precipitate occluded dentinal tubules to a depth of approximately 10 to 15 microns from the dentinal surface, regardless of the NaF concentration (from 0 to 0.1 mol/L) in the post-treatment solution. Also, dentin permeability was reduced to 15% by the CPP treatment regardless of the NaF concentration. The Ca/P molar ratio of the precipitate, measured by x-ray micro-analysis, was higher (1.25 +/- 0.04) in the presence of NaF than in its absence (1.03 +/- 0.01). For further identification of the precipitate formed in the dentinal tubules, the same procedure was used in glass tubes (diameter, 1 mm), so that a larger amount of precipitate would be obtained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)