Fluoride Uptake and Remineralization From a New Fluoride Treatment

Objectives: The efficacy of a new fluoride treatment with a 9,600ppm fluoride concentration and 15-minute treatment time was investigated in an in-vitro fluoride uptake and remineralization experiment in caries-like lesions against a negative control and five positive controls with a higher fluoride concentration (22,600ppm) and longer treatment times (4hr and 2hr).
Methods: Bovine enamel specimens were potted, polished, and demineralized to produce an artificial lesion. Vickers Surface Microhardness (VSMH) was measured, and lesions were stratified and allocated to seven treatment groups (n=10): A-Artificial Saliva, B-3M™ Clinpro™ Clear Fluoride Treatment, C-3M™ Vanish™ 5% Sodium Fluoride White Varnish, D-3M™ Fast Release 5% Sodium Fluoride Varnish, E-Colgate^® PreviDent^® Varnish - Rx Only, F-VOCO Profluorid^® Varnish, G-Dentsply Sirona Nupro^® White Varnish. Fluoride uptake (EFU) via biopsy method and VSMH measurements were taken after treatment (following instructions for use) and after an acid challenge. Net hardness gain was calculated (%VHN-Net). EFU, VSMH, and %VHN-Net values were compared using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s test (p<0.05).
Results: See table, where treatments not sharing a superscript letter are statistically different. Treatments B and F had statistically equivalent EFU and statistically greater EFU than all other treatments. All treatments, except treatment E, had statistically greater EFU than treatment A. Treatments B, C, and G had statistically equivalent %VHN increase after treatment and statistically greater %VHN increase than treatments A, D, E, and F after treatment. Treatments B through G had statistically equivalent %VHN-net and statistically lower %VHN-net than treatment D. Finally, all treatments had statistically greater %VHN-net than treatment A.
Conclusions: The new fluoride treatment with a much lower fluoride concentration and shorter treatment time compared to conventional fluoride varnishes had statistically similar or better EFU compared to the positive and negative controls and statistically similar or better net remineralization compared to four of the five positive controls and the negative control.