TiF₄ Inhibit in Situ Demineralization of Enamel/Dentin Adhesive Interface

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dentin pretreatment with an aqueous solution of 2.5% titanium tetrafluoride (TiF₄) followed by different adhesive systems on its potential to inhibit caries in enamel and dentin in situ.
Methods: Sixty-four cavities were performed on enamel/ dentin junction of buccal or lingual surfaces of 32 third molars, separated among treatments (n = 8): Clearfil SE Bond; Single Bond Universal; TiF₄ + Clearfil SE Bond; TiF₄ + Single Bond Universal. Cavities were restored and one dental block of each group was placed in palatal acrylic devices used by 16 volunteers. After the cariogenic challenge, the specimens were cross-sectioned and prepared for microhardness analysis. The data was submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test (α=0.05).
Results: In enamel, TiF₄ groups showed significantly higher means in superficial depths (25 and 50 micron) (p <0.0001) regardless of the adhesive and distance. In dentin, higher microhardness average values were observed in groups Single Bond Universal and TiF₄ + Clearfil SE Bond (p=0.0003).
Conclusions: It was concluded that TiF₄ pretreatment was able to inhibit the demineralization of enamel in situ, regardless of the adhesive. TiF₄ followed by the application of Clearfil SE Bond showed higher potential for inhibition of demineralization in situ for dentin interfaces.