Effect of NaF and TiF₄ varnish and solution on bovine dentin erosion plus abrasion in vitro

Abstract

Objectives. This in vitro study aimed to analyze the effect of TiF₄ compared to NaF varnishes and solutions, to protect against dentin erosion associated with abrasion. Materials and methods. Bovine dentin specimens were pre-treated with NaF-Duraphat (2.26% F), NaF/CaF₂-Duofluorid (5.63% F), experimental-NaF (2.45% F), experimental-TiF₄ (2.45% F) and placebo varnishes; NaF (2.26% F) and TiF₄ (2.45% F) solutions. Controls remained untreated. The erosive pH cycling was performed using a soft drink (pH 2.6) 4 × 90 s/day and the toothbrushing-abrasion 2 × 10 s/day, in vitro for 5 days. Between the challenges, the specimens were exposed to artificial saliva. Dentin tissue loss was measured profilometrically (μm). Results. ANOVA/Tukey's test showed that all fluoridated varnishes (Duraphat, 7.5 ± 1.1; Duofluorid, 6.8 ± 1.1; NaF, 7.2 ± 1.9; TiF₄, 6.5 ± 1.0) were able to significantly reduce dentin tissue loss (40.7% reduction compared to control) when compared to placebo varnish (11.2 ± 1.3), control (11.8 ± 1.7) and fluoridated (NaF, 9.9 ± 1.8; TiF₄, 10.3 ± 2.1) solutions (p < 0.0001), which in turn did not significantly differ from each other. Conclusion. All fluoridated varnishes, but not the solutions, had a similar performance and a good potential to reduce dentin tissue loss under mild erosive and abrasive conditions in vitro. Risk patients for erosion and abrasion, especially those with exposed dentin, should benefit from this clinical preventive measure. Further research has to confirm this promising result in the clinical situation.

Key Words::

• abrasion
• dentin
• erosion
• fluoride

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to FAPESP (Proc. 08/07105-4 and 08/03727-0) for the financial support and FGM-Dentscare Ltda, Brazilian Dental Products Company, for the preparation of the varnishes.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.