May caries-preventive fluoride regimes have an effect on dental erosive wear? An in situ study

Abstract

Objective. High and low concentration NaF regimes have shown caries protective properties, but the preventive effect against erosive/abrasive wear is unclear. Aim. To measure the inhibiting effect on enamel wear of low and highly concentrated sodium fluoride (NaF) toothpastes and a stannous (SnF₂) fluoride gel in a single-blind, randomized in situ study, using a White Light Interferometer. Materials and methods. Sixteen human molars were each divided into four specimens, mounted on acrylic mouth appliances and worn by eight volunteers for 9 days. Experimental procedures were performed in the laboratory. The enamel specimens were brushed every day with fluoride-free toothpaste. Treatments; group 1: no fluoride treatment (control), group 2: SnF₂ gel 2500 ppm F (5 min) every third day, group 3: NaF toothpaste 5000 ppm F 5 min every third day and 2 min the other days, group 4: NaF toothpaste 1450 ppm F (2 min) every day. In order to mimic gastric reflux/vomiting, the specimens were etched with 0.01 M HCl for 2 min twice a day. Results. The mean step height (µm) for the control specimens was −32.9 (SD = 6.8). The mean values for the other groups were −22.2 (SD = 8.4) (group 2), −30.8 (SD = 7.8) (group 3) and −31.4 (SD = 7.7) (group 4). Compared with the control, the SnF₂ treated specimens showed significantly lower wear. The NaF toothpastes gave no significant protective effect. Conclusions. Application of SnF₂ gel every third day gave protection against erosive–abrasive challenges. Daily application of both low concentration and high concentration NaF toothpaste provided no protection.

Key Words:

• dental erosion
• in situ
• NaF toothpastes
• SnF₂ gel

Acknowledgements

The study was funded by Grants from the University of Oslo. The authors would like to thank the study participants.

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