Fluoride Dentifrice Overcomes the Lower Resistance of Fluorotic Enamel to Demineralization

Author(s)

Almeida, Luma Fabiane ^[1] ; Marin, Lina Maria ^[1] ; Martinez-Mier, Esperanza Angeles ^[2] ; Cury, Jaime Aparecido ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Piracicaba Dent Sch, CP 52, BR-13414903 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Indiana Univ, Sch Dent, Dept Cariol Operat Dent & Dent Publ Hlth, Indianapolis, IN - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Caries Research; v. 53, n. 5, p. 567-575, 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

We evaluated if the low resistance of fluorotic enamel to demineralization could be overcome by fluoride dentifrice (FD) treatment. Paired enamel slabs of sound and fluorotic enamel (n = 20/group) from human teeth presenting Thylstrup and Fejerskov index (TF) scores from 0 to 4 were obtained. Half of the anatomic surface of the enamel slabs was isolated and used as a control (baseline) regarding enamel mineralization and fluoride concentration. The slabs were submitted to a pH-cycling model simulating a high cariogenic challenge, and 2x/day they were treated with placebo dentifrice (PD) or FD (1,100 mu g F/g, as NaF). After 10 days, the slabs were cut into two halves. Enamel demineralization was evaluated by cross-sectional microhardness in one half, and the fluoride formed (FF) concentration was determined in the other half. For statistical analysis, the data on net demineralization area (Delta Delta S) and FF (mu g F/g) were grouped into TF0, TF1-2, and TF3-4, and analyzed by two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (alpha = 5%). The factors studied were TF (0, 1-2, and 3-4) and dentifrice treatment (PD or FD). The effect of the factors was statistically significant for Delta Delta S and FF (p < 0.05). In the PD group, the following pattern for Delta Delta S was observed: TF3-4 > TF1-2 > TF0 (p < 0.05); however, the groups did not differ (p > 0.05) when FD was used. Regarding FF, the groups treated with PD did not differ (p > 0.05), but the greatest (p < 0.05) FF concentration was found in group TF3-4 treated with FD. These findings suggest that the higher susceptibility of fluorotic enamel to demineralization lesions is decreased by the use of FD. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/24190-1 - Effect of fluoride from dentifrice on the reduction of demineralization of fluorotic enamel
• Grantee: Luma Fabiane Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master