Efficacy of TiF4 and NaF varnish and solution: a randomized in situ study on enamel erosive–abrasive wear

Abstract

This in situ/ex vivo study analysed the anti-erosive/abrasive effect of TiF4 and NaF varnish and solution on enamel wear. Twelve subjects took part in this study which was performed in three periods (phases) with the duration of 5 days each. Each two human enamel specimens per subject were pretreated with experimental NaF varnish or solution (phase A), experimental-TiF4 varnish or solution (phase B) and placebo varnish or untreated control (phase C). The specimens were worn in palatal appliances; one enamel specimen, from each treatment, was subjected to erosion (ERO; cola soft drink, 4 × 90 s/day), and the other specimen was subjected to erosion plus abrasion (ERO + ABR; tooth brushing, 2 × 10 s/day). The tooth wear was quantified by a contact profilometer (micrometre) and analysed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni's test (n = 12 subjects, p < 0.05). All fluoride varnishes and solutions reduced the enamel wear (around 25 %) significantly compared to the control and placebo varnish. There were no significant differences among the fluoride formulations and between the conditions ERO and ERO + ABR. Therefore, it can be concluded that TiF4 has the same protective potential as NaF formulations to reduce human enamel wear under this experimental in situ model. In vitro studies have indicated a better anti-erosive/abrasive effect of TiF4 compared to NaF varnish. The present in situ study does not support the previous findings. Therefore, any of the tested professional fluoride varnishes in principle could be able to partially reduce enamel wear.