Topical Fluoride Therapy

Dr. Yamama Adnan Preventive Dentistry Lec.
Topical fluoride therapy

Self- applied fluoride:
1. Fluoridated dentifrices:
The first clinical trial of fluoridated dentifrices initiated by Bibby 1942, the active agent
was NaF, and the abrasive was dicalcium phosphate (DCP).
The general functions of these dentifrices are:
1- Physico-mechanical function; that is by the action of the abrasive materials and
the toothbrush.
2- Chemical function; that is by the reaction of F with the outer enamel surface and
the antimicrobial effect.
Types of fluoridated agents in dentifrices include:
 Sodium fluoride (NaF).
 Stannous fluoride (SnF2).
 Sodium monofluorophosphate (MPF).
 Amine fluoride.
 Combination of NaF and MPF.
A unique characteristic of MPF is its compatibility with a wide variety of abrasive system.
In contrast to other fluoride compounds such as SnF2 which are almost completely
dissociated in aqueous solution to yield fluoride ions that readily react with available
cations. By far the greatest number of dentifrices on sale in the world today has MPF as
their active ingredient.
The range of fluoride conc. in these agents is 525- 1450 PPM. The content of F in
dentifrices will decrease with the increase in the time of storage i.e. 6 months or more.
Types of abrasive:
 Ca-pyrophosphate
 Na- metaphosphate
 Silica
 Others
Following brushing there will be retention of F in the oral fluid and dental plaque. F ions
released gradually in the saliva and there by maintains a degree of protections against
caries.
The increase in the frequency of brushing will increase the benefits of F. Studies recorded
caries reduction by using fluoridated dentifrices about 25- 30 %.
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Guideline followed in the use of fluoridated dentifrices:
1- Children under 5 years: A brush full of 1000 PPM paste may contain (1 mg F ions).
Child may swallow pastes accidentally, at this age the child can not control muscles of
swallowing. Thus brushing twice a day with 1000 PPM fluoridated paste the child may
swallow 0.5 mg F/day. The child may be at risk to be affected by dental fluorosis,
especially in fluoridated area or taking F supplements.
Recommendations:
 Small pea sized amount of tooth paste used.
 Brushing under supervision.
 Use a paste with no or a low conc. of F.
2- Children above 5 years and adults: For children, in fluoridated and non- fluoridated
area a high conc. of F can be used.
2. Fluoridated Mouth Rinses:
It started in the early 60s of the last century. It can be used in the following conditions:
 Primary preventive programs for children and adults.
 In subjects with high risk to dental caries.
 Patients with rampant caries.
 Patients with hyposalivation or xerostomia.
 Patients with sensitive teeth due to tooth wear as (abrasion, attrition or erosion) or
because of exposed root.
 Patients with periodontitis and root caries.
 Patients with orthodontic appliance.
Types of agents used:
1. Sodium F; it is the main type used in neutral or acidified forms in a water vehicle.
Concentrations 0.2% (900 ppm F) applied once a week, 0.05% (225 ppm) applied
daily.
2. Stannous F; concentration: 100,200,300 ppm.
3. Amine F or ammonium F.
A 10 ml of rinse used by forcefully swishing of liquid around the mouth for 1 minute then
expectorate. Fluoridated mouth rinse should not be given to:
1- Children under 6 years of age, as they cannot control muscles of swallowing.
2- Children living in fluoridated area or receiving F supplements.
Studies reported a caries reduction about 30 %.
Note: Fluoridated mouth rinses should not substitute fluoridated dentifrices, rinses is
usually supplement toothpaste.
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3. Fluoridated Gel:
It is used in home programs.
Types of agents:
 NaF or acidulated phosphate F (conc. 5000 ppm).
 Stannous F (0.4%).
These can be applied using special tray or applied directly to teeth by toothbrush. Applied
for 1-5 minutes, then expectorate. Patients advised not to rinse by water or eat or drink for
at least 30 minutes.
Indications for use:
 Patients with rampant caries.
 Patients with xerostomia.
 Patients with sensitive teeth
 Root caries.
It can be used for 4 weeks course, when the onset of the disease is stopped the patient can
switch back to mouth rinse.
Fluoridated gel is not recommended for children under 6 years of age.
Note: It is used in combination with dentifrice, and not preferable to be used with mouth
rinse.
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Dr.Yamama Adnan Preventive Dentistry Lec. 6
Professionally Applied Fluorides

Medicaments typically dispensed by dental professional in the dental office to prevent or
arrest dental caries. Materials applied are in forms of solutions, gel, foam, varnishes or
pumice. Different agents are available as:
 Sodium fluoride.
 Stannous fluoride.
 Potassium fluoride.
 Zirconium fluoride.
 Titanium fluoride.
 Others
The concentration range of fluoride in these agents is 9000- 19000 PPM.
Method of application:
Techniques followed for application of fluoride in the dental office are:
 Paint on technique: by which fluoride material applied to teeth by cotton applicator or
brush.
 Tray technique: a small amount of fluoride is added to a tray then inserted in the
patient’s mouth. Trays come in different shapes and types as foam lined or paper,
custom vinyl, etc.…
For both techniques:
1. Teeth are cleaned first (scaling and polishing) to remove dental plaque, calculus, stain
and debris. These may interfere with the uptake of fluoride ions and reduce its
effectiveness.
2. Teeth are isolated using cotton roll and saliva ejector. The head of the patient titled
forward to avoid accidental swallowing of the materials.
3. The fluoridated agent applied following dryness of teeth for 1-4 minutes. The amount
of agent used must not exceed 4 ml to prevent acute toxicity.
4. Use unwaxed dental floss to push the material between teeth.
5. Following treatment ask the patient to expectorate several times.
6. Instruct the patient not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes.
Indications:
1. Prevention of dental caries.
2. Rampant caries.
3. Sensitive teeth and root caries.
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Sodium Fluoride (NAF): These materials are available in form powder, solution or gel.
The concentration of F is 2%. When powder is used 0.2 gm dissolved in 10 ml distilled
water.
These agents have a basic pH, chemically stable when stored in plastic or polythene
containers, a flavoring and sweetening agents can be added. These materials are not
irritant to the gingiva and do not cause discoloration to teeth.
Acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF): The success of any topical fluoridated agent
depends on its capability of depositing fluoride ions in the enamel as fluoroapatite and not
only calcium fluoride. Fluoroapatite crystals are stable not like calcium F.
Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2+ 2F Ca10(PO4)6F2+ 20H
There are two ways of speeding to the reactions that lead to formation of
fluoroapatite.
1- Increase concentration of F ions in the agent.
2- Lowering the pH, that is making the solution more acidic.
Increasing the concentration of F ions lead to formation of calcium F and phosphate, while
the presence of acid leads to break down of the outer enamel surfaces (hydrolysis of
hydroxyapatite and release of calcium and phosphate).
Reaction 1:
Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 + 20F 10CaF2 + 6(P04)-3 + 20H
Reaction 2:
Acid
Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 CaHPO4+ 4Ca+2 + 2H20
In both reactions phosphate formed. The increase in phosphate concentration causes the
shift in the equilibrium of the reaction to right side that is in the direction of formation of
fluoroapatite as well as hydroxyapatite crystals. In another word, the increase in the
concentration of F ions and lowering the pH in presence of phosphate leads to increase
deposition of ions in form of fluoroapatite crystals (i.e. increase fixation of F ions in the
enamel surface).
Acidulated phosphate (APF) is composed of NAF to which acid is added. The
concentration of F is 1.23%, the acid is in form of ortho- phosphoric acid the pH is 3.2.
APF comes in form of solution, gel and foam, to these coloring and flavoring agents
added. It is, chemically stable when stored in plastic containers, and does not cause
discoloration to teeth.
The gel is more preferable than solutions as it increase the time of retention of the
materials on the tooth surface. The gelling material is in the form of carboxymethyl
cellulose. Another type of gelling material added known as thixotropic gel, it is a gel like
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material under pressure behaves like solution and flow between teeth, at the same time it
becomes viscous by low pressure thus will not flow behind the tray to enter the patient's
throat.
Stannous Fluoride (SnF2):
It contains cation (stannous) and anion (fluoride), both react with enamel surface forming
calcium F, stannous fluoroapatite and hydrated tin oxide.
Ca10(P04)6(OH)2 + 19SnF2 10CaF2+ 6Sn3F3P04+ SnO.H2O
These complex agents increase resistance of enamel to acid dissolutions.
Stannous F is used in form of solutions. It is available in powder that is prepared by
dissolving appropriate weight in distilled water. For children the recommended
concentration of stannous F is 8% (dissolve 0.8 mg in 10 ml of distilled water). For
adolescents and adults the recommended concentration is 10% (dissolve 1 mg of powder
in 10 ml distilled water).
Advantages of SnF2:
1- Effective in preventing dental caries, by the increase of the resistance of enamel
against acid.
2- Remineralization of initial carious lesion.
3- Desensitization of teeth.
4- Antibacterial includes both specific antibacterial effect against cariogenic bacteria,
and nonspecific effect against other types of bacteria.
5- Has an additive effect by tin ions in addition to fluoride ions.
Disadvantages:
1- Not stable in aqueous solution, it undergoes rapid hydrolysis and oxidation to form
stannous hydroxide and stannic ions. These may reduce the effectiveness of F.
Thus, SnF2 solution needs to be freshly prepared.
2- Unpleasant taste, it has metallic astringent taste,
3- Reversible irritation to gingiva, as gingival bleaching may occur. It is not
recommended to be used in severe gingival inflammation.
Indication of use;
1- Primary preventive programs (once or twice a year).
2- High risk group and rampant caries (every 3 or 6 months).
3- Initial caries (3 or 6 months).
4- Desensitizing agents (once a week then every 3-6 months).
5- Patients with xerostomia (3-6 months).
6- Patients with hypoplasia or calcifications (as amelogenesis imperfecta or
dentinogenesis imperfecta).
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7- Root caries.
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Dr. Yamama Adnan Preventive Dentistry Lec.

Topical fluoride therapy

Professionally Applied Fluorides

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