Critical Evaluation of the Composition and Use of Topical Fluorides, with Emphasis on the Role of Calcium Fluoride in Caries Inhibition

Abstract

There is evidence that a major part of the fluoride which is retained on teeth during topical application is calcium fluoride or calcium fluoride-like, and that this material is relatively stable in the mouth. This is due to surface adsorption of phosphate (HPO4(2-)) ions onto the calcium fluoride surface. Calcium fluoride releases fluoride during caries challenges due to reduced concentration of HPO4(2-) at acid pH. Normally, the fluoride released from calcium fluoride during caries challenges is subsequently built into hydroxyfluorapatite through dissolution/re-precipitation reactions. It appears likely that the formation of calcium fluoride from topical application agents should be increased and not reduced, as believed in the past. Increased deposition of calcium fluoride can be achieved with increased reaction time between fluoride and enamel, reduced pH of the solution, increased concentration, or pre-treatment with calcium. A reduction in pH of the agents is probably the most practical approach to increase the deposition of calcium fluoride during topical application, and clinical data support this contention. Calcium fluorides with various dissolution rates are formed during different procedures of topical application with fluoride, presumably due to incorporation of phosphate into the calcium fluoride crystals.

Preparation and properties of nano-sized calcium fluoride for dental applications

“…1). The nano CaF 2 particles suspended in the flow were trapped in the electrostatic precipitator (MistBuster, Air Quality Engineering, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) and collected at the end of the process, while the NH 4 OH was removed as NH 3 and H 2 O vapors with the air flow. …”

“…Low concentration of F in oral fluids derived from labile F reservoirs formed by the use of F dentifrices and rinses, have been shown to have a profound effect on the progression of dental caries [1][2][3]. However, the low calcium (Ca) concentration in the mouth provides a limited driving force for the CaF 2 formation, and only very small amounts of CaF 2 -like deposits are formed after a conventional sodium fluoride (NaF) rinse [4].…”

The Importance and Possibilities of Proper Oral Hygiene in Orthodontic Patients

“…Fluoride can help to prevent the mineral loss. When the pH drops below approximately 5.5, calcium ions are dissolved from the enamel and bond with fluoride ions forming a calcium fluoride (CaF 2 ) layer (Rolla & Saxegaard, 1990 insoluble in the saliva and remains on the teeth for months (Dijkman et al, 1983). The CaF 2 layer functions as a pH controlled fluoride reservoir and is the most important supplier of free fluoride ions during the cariogen challenge (Fischer et al, 1995).…”

“…CaF 2 preferably deposits on demineralized surfaces and this layer is additionally stabilised by phosphate ions (Rolla and Saxegaard, 1990), which are also contained in Fluor Protector Gel. If the pH falls into the acidic range, the calcium fluoride layer releases Ca and phosphate ions which are released into the saliva and form a depot.…”

Denti̇n Aşiri Hassasi̇yeti̇: Tani Ve Tedavi̇ Yöntemleri̇

“…70 Ağız gargaraları uygulandıktan sonra diş yüzeyinde kalsiyum florür (CaF 2 ) tabakasının oluştuğu ve diş yüzeyinden çözündüğü ve laktat üretimini belirgin olarak azalttığı da bildirilmiştir. 68 Topikal florürler piyasada, %1.23 asidüle fosfat florür (APF) jel ya da köpük formunda (12.300 ppm F) ve nötr %2 NaF (9.040 ppm F) olarak bulunmaktadır. Yüksek konsantrasyondaki florür jellerinin mine erozyonlarında yeniden sertleşme (rehardening) yapabildiği gösterilmiştir.…”