The ability of various fluoride treatments to reduce dental disease is well documented, but the mechanisms involved are not well established. The mode of action of fluoride in promoting remineralization as well as reducing enamel solubility are being studied. A multi-disciplinary approach is being used so that both the solution mediated events and morphological as well as histological changes on or within the enamel may be investigated. The agents tested included sodium fluoride, ammonium fluoride, titanium fluoride and sodium hexafluorostannate. All agents were effective in increasing enamel fluoride levels when a minimal washing procedure was employed. Washing for 24 hours with either 1M KOH to remove soluble calcium fluoride or with """"""""synthetic saliva"""""""" reduced the levels of fluoride to nearly control levels. The only treatment which showed consistent reductions in lesion formation was titanium tetrafluoride. Since the fluoride uptake from this treatment was less than that of APF we looked for morphological differences in the enamel. An acid resistant surface coating of unknown composition was deemed responsible for the reduction in lesion formation. In order to understand the mechanisms of action of fluoride necessary to prevent dental decay and not merely assume that """"""""more will be better.""""""""

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DE004486-08
Application #
3219072
Study Section
Oral Biology and Medicine Study Section (OBM)
Project Start
1978-07-01
Project End
1987-06-30
Budget Start
1985-07-01
Budget End
1986-06-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Type
Schools of Dentistry/Oral Hygn
DUNS #
041294109
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52242
Zero, D T (1995) In situ caries models. Adv Dent Res 9:214-30;discussion 231-4
Wefel, J S (1990) Effects of fluoride on caries development and progression using intra-oral models. J Dent Res 69 Spec No:626-33;discussion 634-6
Wefel, J S; Harless, J D (1987) The use of saturated DCPD in remineralization of artificial caries lesions in vitro. J Dent Res 66:1640-3
Wefel, J S; Maharry, G J; Jensen, M E et al. (1987) Development of an intra-oral single-section remineralization model. J Dent Res 66:1485-9