Reactivity of Fluoride Dentifrices with Artificial Caries

Abstract

A pH-cycling model has been used to examine the reactivity of fluoride dentifrices and rinses with subsurface carious lesions in vitro. Measured parameters included fluoride uptake, remineralization, surface hardening and the distribution of acquired fluoride. In the study, all fluoride treatment groups exhibited increased remineralization relative to placebo and demineralization-only controls. In general, remineralization paralleled the total fluoride uptake, but the relationship was not one to one. The rank ordered efficacy of the fluoride topicals was found to be NaF dentifrice > remineralization solution = NaF + MFP dentifrice > MFP dentifrice > placebo. Analysis of the acquired fluoride distributions suggested that fluoride was incorporated throughout lesions under dynamic conditions.

Clinical monitoring of the effect of fluorides on long-existing white spot lesions

“…Furthermore, a meta-analysis has not provided any definitive evidence in support of a major role of fluoride toothpaste in the caries decline during the past 20 to 25 years [8]. Moreover, it can be assumed that initially demineralized enamel does not completely remineralize [19]. Nevertheless, it is well known that early carious enamel is highly reactive to topical fluorides, and that fluoride concentration within the early carious enamel will rapidly reach levels observed within the surface layers of incipient caries, even after only a few topical exposures [19].…”

“…Moreover, it can be assumed that initially demineralized enamel does not completely remineralize [19]. Nevertheless, it is well known that early carious enamel is highly reactive to topical fluorides, and that fluoride concentration within the early carious enamel will rapidly reach levels observed within the surface layers of incipient caries, even after only a few topical exposures [19]. In order to understand quantitatively the mechanisms of topically applied fluorides' cariostatic effects, systematic studies of fluoride reactivity with various lesion stages under dynamic cycling conditions might be necessary [20].…”

“…In order to understand quantitatively the mechanisms of topically applied fluorides' cariostatic effects, systematic studies of fluoride reactivity with various lesion stages under dynamic cycling conditions might be necessary [20]. This may be particularly important for elucidating the cariostatic effect promoted by fluoride dentifrices and rinses, where the relatively short duration and high concentrations of fluoride exposure may impart special benefits at certain stages of lesion development [19]. While the fluoride reactivity of early lesions has a cariostatic effect, long-term benefits remain unclear and should not be overestimated [19].…”

“…This may be particularly important for elucidating the cariostatic effect promoted by fluoride dentifrices and rinses, where the relatively short duration and high concentrations of fluoride exposure may impart special benefits at certain stages of lesion development [19]. While the fluoride reactivity of early lesions has a cariostatic effect, long-term benefits remain unclear and should not be overestimated [19]. The age of the used white spots may have crucially influenced the results of this study, but, again, no effects had been expected.…”

Potential of an amelogenin based peptide in promoting reminerlization of initial enamel caries

“…All 30 blocks were subjected to pH cycling as described (White, 1987). For each 24-h period, the blocks were immersed for 2 h in demineralization solution [50 mM acetic acid (pH 4.5), 2.2 mM Ca (NO 3 ) 2 , 2.2 mM KH 2 PO 4 , 1.0 mM NaN 3 ] and nearly 22 h in remineralization solution [20 mM HEPES(pH 7.0), 0.9 mM KH 2 PO 4 , 1.5 mM CaCl 2 , 130 mM KCl, 1.0 mM NaN 3 ].…”