Fluoride Treatment Performance of Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Compositions

Objectives: Fluoride varnish products are widely used for topical fluoride treatments. The hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of topical fluoride treatment products and the formulation compositions may affect the performance over the course of the treatment. This study investigated the characteristics and the performance of three fluoride containing products with significantly different compositions.
Methods: Ultradent Enamelast^TM Fluoride Varnish (EFV), 3M™ Vanish^TM White Varnish (VWV) and 3M™ Clinpro™ Clear Fluoride Treatment (CCF) were used in this investigation. Products were coated on plastic slides with controlled area and weight and stored in DI water at 37^oC temperature. Solutions were measured with fluoride ion selective electrode to detect fluoride ions release. Bovine enamel specimens were potted, polished, and demineralized to produce an artificial lesion. These specimens were treated with different products and artificial saliva as the control (AAC). Fluoride uptake was measured via biopsy method and Vickers microhardness was measured at different treatment stages. Net hardness change was calculated as VHN%. These performances of different products were compared using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s test (p<0.05).
Results: The table shows performance and comparison with different products
Conclusions: This study showed significant differences among products in terms of performance. Hydrophobic rosin-based VWV had the lowest fluoride release and EFV had highest fluoride release at 1hr. Aqueous CCF had the highest fluoride uptake and net hardness increase after acid challenge, even with lower fluoride content and shorter treatment time.