Effect of fluoride gels on occlusal fissures in primary molars: an in vitro study

• Published in: European archives of paediatric dentistry Vol. 12; no. 6; pp. 288 - 292
• Main Authors: Ferreira, M. C., Calvo, M. C. M., Vieira, R. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-12-2011; European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acid resistance; Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride - administration & dosage; Analysis of Variance; Cycles; Demineralizing; Dental Fissures - prevention & control; Dentistry; Drug therapy; Fluorides; Gels; Hardness; Health aspects; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Knoop hardness; Medicine; Microhardness; Molar; Sodium Fluoride - administration & dosage; Tooth diseases; Tooth, Deciduous; Brazil; Fluorides, topical; enamel; tooth, primary; dental fissures; in vitro
• ISSN: 1818-6300; 1996-9805
• DOI: 10.1007/BF03262825

AIM:
To assess the effect of the application of fluoride gels on the acid resistance of occlusal enamel in primary molars.
STUDY DESIGN:
Forty-five primary second molars were randomly assigned to three groups: a) control (pH-cycling); b) 2% NaF gel/pH-cycling; and c) 1.23% APF gel/pH-cycling.
METHODS:
Specimens were longitudinally sectioned in the buccal-lingual direction and used for cross-sectional microhardness testing. Knoop hardness values were converted into vol.% mineral and mineral loss (ΔZ) was then calculated.
STSTISTICS:
The response variables were vol.% mineral and ΔZ. Data were tested using parametric tests at a significance level of 5%.
RESULTS:
No statistically significant differences were found between groups regarding vol.% mineral or ΔZ.
CONCLUSIONS
: A single application of a high concentration fluoride compound does not promote greater resistance to demineralisation in enamel pits and fissures, regardless of the product used.