Fluoride Profiles in Dental Plaque in vivo Formed on Fluoride Pre–Treated Human Enamel

Abstract

Using a novel device capable of generating plaque in vivo on a natural enamel substrate, it has been possible to determine fluoride profiles from the saliva–plaque interface towards the enamel surface. Fluoride profiles in dental plaques tended to fall from the saliva–plaque interface towards the enamel. The device also offered the possibility of examining fluoride distributions after pre–treatment of the enamel with fluoride in vitro. Fluoride profiles were determined in plaque generated in vivo on enamel surfaces, which had been previously treated with a 900–ppm fluoride solution. The results showed the previously reported fall from the plaque surface, but in addition, a further rise towards the enamel surface was seen. The data imply that enamel loaded with fluoride can release some of this fluoride back into the plaque and may act as a fluoride reservoir.

Fluoride and organic weak acids as modulators of microbial physiology

“…When the enamel disks on which the plaque biofilms formed were pretreated with a 900 ppm (ca. 47 mM) solution of fluoride, the profile in the biofims was modified so that there was a peak of fluoride near the biofilm–enamel interface [1]. Thus, it seemed that enamel had the potential to serve as a source of fluoride for plaque biofilms.…”

Surface properties of dental polymers: measurements of contact angles, roughness and fluoride release

“…Hydrophobicity, an important characteristic of hard composites, affects the initial water absorption and the adhesion of oral bacteria. Changing the hydrophobicity of the dental polymer surfaces can also affect the adhesion of oral bacteria [20][21][22][23]27 . The breakdown of the marginal areas between enamel and restorative material can provide potential pathways for bacterial reinfection and recurrence of caries.…”

“…Different chemical properties and surface topographies of the various materials may play a role in biofilm formation and influence the differences in composition and general properties from one to another [24][25][26] . Several studies have found that the fluoride added to materials can alter wettability and plaque formation, as well as the adherence of Streptococcus mutans [27][28][29][30] . However, other authors contend that the presence of fluoride on dental materials does not modify the materials' basic characteristics 31,32 .…”

Effect of Plaque Fluoride Released from a Glass-Ionomer Cement on Enamel Remineralization in situ

“…Recent work has indicated that much of this appears to be located in the outer regions of the plaque biofilm layer Robinson et al, 1997]. It may be released into plaque from fluoride-treated enamel [Arai et al, 2000]. It is also possible that fluoride in plaque may originate from restorative materials.…”