Fluoride uptake by proximal surfaces from professionally applied fluorides: an in vitro study

Area of Science:

• Dental science
• Materials science

Background:

• Topical fluoride application is crucial for preventing dental caries.
• Different formulations of topical fluoride exist, including gels, foams, and solutions.
• Understanding fluoride uptake in enamel is essential for optimizing caries prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the fluoride uptake by mesial enamel surfaces of extracted human teeth using different topical fluoride agents.
• To evaluate fluoride penetration at various depths within the enamel structure.

Main Methods:

• Extracted human molars and premolars were divided into four groups.
• Teeth were treated with acidulated phosphofluoride conventional gel, thixotropic gel, foam, or neutral sodium fluoride solution.
• Acid-etch biopsies were performed at three depths to quantify fluoride uptake.

Main Results:

• Gels and foams showed a statistically significant increase in fluoride uptake in the surface enamel layer.
• Neutral sodium fluoride solution resulted in an insignificant increase in surface fluoride uptake.
• Thixotropic fluoride gel achieved the highest fluoride uptake in the deepest enamel layer.

Conclusions:

• Topical gels and foams are more effective than solutions in increasing surface enamel fluoride.
• Thixotropic fluoride gel offers superior fluoride penetration into deeper enamel layers.
• These findings support the use of specific topical fluoride formulations for enhanced caries protection.