Titanium and fluoride concentrations in titanium tetrafluoride and APF treated enamel

Effect of an aqueous 4% titanium tetrafluoride solution on preventing caries in orthodontic patients: a controlled clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) is a fluoride compound that, when is applied over enamel, promotes a protection against demineralization through a titanium dioxide (TiO2) acid-resistant coat.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to verify the hypothesis that a single application of 4% TiF4 increases the resistance of enamel to dental demineralization in orthodontic patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This controlled clinical trial followed CONSORT guidelines and investigated the prevention of enamel demineralization, fluoride retention, and the presence of a Ti layer after TiF4 application on banded teeth exposed to clinical cariogenic biofilm. Forty premolars were divided into a control group (CG; n = 20) and a test group (TG; n = 20). Teeth from both groups received prophylaxis and orthodontic bands with a cariogenic locus. In the TG, all teeth additionally underwent aqueous 4% TiF4 solution application after prophylaxis before being banded. After one month, teeth from both groups were extracted and prepared to assess the microhardness, fluoride retention, and evaluation of the Ti coating over the enamel surface. All data were analyzed with a paired Student's t-test (p<0.05).

RESULTS

Enamel microhardness and fluoride uptake were higher in TG than in CG, while the Ti layer could be seen over TG teeth that received TiF4 application.

CONCLUSION

Under clinical circumstances, the 4% aqueous TiF4 solution was effective in preventing enamel mineral loss through increasing the enamel resistance to dental demineralization, enhancing its microhardness and fluoride uptake, and forming a Ti coat.

Mechanical Properties of Multifunctional TiF4 from First-Principles Calculations

Titanium tetrafluoride (TiF₄) plays a crucial role in prerestorative dentistry, the synthesis of metal fluorides and titanium silicate thin films, enhancing the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂, and hydrogen storage applications. Though TiF₄ is touted for superior catalytic activity in deflating the decomposition temperature of metal hydrides, its fundamental properties have not been studied yet. Compressibility is a vital parameter during mechanical milling and hydrogen cycling processes from solid metal hydrides to sustain its stability. Even though many high-pressure studies are available on metal hydrides, a similar study on the TiF₄ additive has not yet been conducted by either theoretical or experimental methods. In an effort to identify the compressibility of the TiF₄ catalyst, we have performed state-of-the-art density-functional-theory-based calculations for three chemical states of TiF_x (x = 4, 3, and 2). The mechanical strength of a material is derived from interatomic interactions, which in turn are influenced by the microstructure and bonding. The results highlight the superior structural, electronic, mechanical, and optical properties of orthorhombic TiF₄, which has octahedral columns similar to those of bone tissue material (hydroxyapatite). This article highlights the stable iono-covalent F-Ti-F bonding of the +4 state of titanium fluoride. Materials with Young's moduli close to that of bone (20-30 GPa) have been intensely searched for bone implants. TiF₄ can be used for this purpose because its average Young's modulus is 47 GPa. Our detailed analysis of charge density in TiF₄ sheds light on its unique bonding characteristics, which result in its extraordinary mechanical properties, making TiF₄ a multifunctional material not only for dental fillings but also for orthopedic and catalytic applications.

In Situ Effect of Titanium Tetrafluoride and Sodium Fluoride on Artificially Decayed Human Enamel

This study compared in situ the application of 4% titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) solution and 2% sodium fluoride (NaF) gel on artificial white-spot lesions in human enamel. A crossover, double-blind study using in situ caries models was carried out. Eleven volunteers used an intraoral appliance containing five demineralized human enamel blocks. The blocks (n=170) were randomly divided according to treatment into the following groups: TiF4 (n=55), NaF (n=55), positive control (n=55). A negative control group was composed of demineralized specimens (n=5). The microhardness test was performed using a Knoop penetrator. Energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) was used to analyze the concentration of titanium, calcium, phosphate and oxygen. The enamel microhardness at different depths for TiF4, NaF and positive control samples was not statistically different (p>0.05). The samples from these three groups had statistically higher microhardness values than the negative control samples (p<0.05). EDS analysis did not provide conclusive results about the penetration of titanium in the TiF4 samples. While in some fragments it had substantial penetration, in other fragments it only had superficial penetration. It was possible to conclude that, under in situ conditions, 4% TiF4 solution and 2% NaF gel were able to remineralize artificial white-spot lesions in human enamel. However, the magnitude of the remineralization did not differ between groups.

Effect of 4% titanium tetrafluoride application on shear bond strength of composite resin: An in vitro study

AIMS

The objective of thisstudy is to evaluate and compare 4% titanium tetrafluoride with 2% Sodium fluoride, and the bond strength of composite resin with dentin and their effects on the smear layer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty freshly extracted non-carious molar and premolar teeth were selected. The occlusal surfaces of the teeth were ground, to prepare flat dentin surfaces at a depth of 2 mm and were randomly grouped with 10 specimens in each. Group I (Etching + Adhesive + Composite resin) was taken as a control group. In Group II, 4% titanium tetrafluoride was applied before etching and in Group III, 4% titanium tetrafluoride was applied after etching. In Group IV, 2% Sodium fluoride was applied before etching and in Group V, 2% Sodium fluoride was applied after etching. Shear bond strength was tested using the Lloyds Universal testing machine and was recorded in MPa.

RESULTS

The results were statistically analyzed using the one-way Anova test. Group III showed the highest bond strength among the experimental groups, but less than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Under the conditions of this in vitro study, titanium tetrafluoride did not significantly affect the bond strength of the composite. Sodium fluoride was found to deleteriously affect the bond strength of the composite.

Comparative uptake of fluoride ion into enamel from various topical fluorides in vitro

BACKGROUND

There are many forms of topical fluoride available today, making the decision as to which is most effective to manage the immediate caries risk problem at hand, very difficult. The objective of this project was to determine the concentration and pattern of fluoride ion uptake into enamel from a variety of categories of topical fluoride recently available in Australia.

METHODS

Extracted, intact molar teeth were sectioned to provide six plates of smooth surface enamel. Windows of enamel 2 x 6 mm were exposed to a variety of topical fluorides for periods simulating those used in vivo. Following drying, the slates of enamel were exposed to 2 ml of 0.1 M HCl as a chemical biopsy agent for incremental periods of time. The concentrations of fluoride ion in the biopsy solutions for both test and background (control) slates of enamel were determined directly using a fluoride combination selective electrode in conjunction with a high impedance pH meter. Cumulative amounts of fluoride were determined for each topical fluoride agent.

RESULTS

The concentrations of fluoride ion taken up into enamel were generally proportional to those present in each agent. However, those from APF gel greatly exceeded the amounts taken up from NaF gel. Also, the concentrations taken up from some of the highly concentrated metal fluorides were surprisingly low. Prior etching of enamel increased uptake and prolonged application of APF gel provided no extra benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

Some topical fluorides, e.g., APF gel, provided a greatly increased uptake and to a greater depth than other self-application products. However, the frequency of its use should be considered with caution where patients have glass-based restorations.

Effect of titanium tetrafluoride and sodium fluoride on erosion progression in enamel and dentine in vitro

Our aim was to investigate the effect of TiF4 solutions on mineral loss on enamel and dentine in vitro. Samples were fluoridated 1 x 5 min per day with 1.64% w/v TiF4 or 2.2% w/v NaF solutions, each with a pH of 1.2, and then subjected to a cyclic de- and remineralization procedure for 5 days. Demineralization was performed for 6 x 10 min per day with citric acid (pH 2.3). In controls no fluoridation was performed. Mineral content was determined by longitudinal microradiography. Enamel mineral loss was markedly reduced by both fluoride solutions, but TiF4 was significantly more effective than NaF: cumulative mineral loss on day 3 was 61.7 +/- 15.0 microm in the NaF and 34.2 +/- 13.1 microm in the TiF4 group (p < or = 0.001) compared with 121.0 +/- 27.0 microm in the control group. Dentine mineral loss ceased after both TiF4 and NaF applications (cumulative mineral loss on day 5 in controls: 61.0 +/- 17.0 microm, in the TiF4 group: 15.4 +/- 13.4 microm and in the NaF group: 21.8 +/- 11.8 microm). Both TiF4 and NaF application reduced mineral loss both on enamel and dentine, which could open new possibilities for a symptomatic therapy of erosions.

Estudo in situ do esmalte dental humano após aplicação de tetrafluoreto de titânio

O objetivo deste trabalho, cruzado, duplo-cego, realizado in situ, foi avaliar o esmalte dental humano submetido a um grande desafio cariogênico após aplicação de tetrafluoreto de titânio (TiF4) a 1%. Para isso, 5 voluntários utilizaram dispositivos intrabucais superiores contendo 80 fragmentos dentais durante 2 etapas (TiF4 e Controle) de 14 dias cada, gotejando 8 vezes ao dia glicose 25%. Após o uso, o esmalte foi submetido à análise através da MEV (microscopia eletrônica de varredura) e a MDT (microdureza em corte transversal) em 5 posições até a profundidade de 100 µm da superfície anatômica do dente. Os resultados não revelaram diferença significativa entre esmalte decíduo e permanente. Os dados da MDT, submetidos à análise de variância multifatorial também não revelaram efeito significativo do TiF4, porém, através da MEV, verificou-se diferença entre TiF4 e Controle com p = 0,027 (teste do qui-quadrado). O número de lesões brandas era igual para os dois grupos, porém no Controle haviam 10 fragmentos com esmalte sem cárie e 18 com lesões severas contra 20 e 8 respectivamente do grupo TiF4. Os dados permitem sugerir que o TiF4 modificou o padrão da lesão formada amenizando-a, sendo necessários novos estudos definindo esse efeito em termos de profundidade.

The effect of titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) application around orthodontic brackets

In the present in vivo study, the cariostatic potential of a titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) solution applied topically around orthodontic brackets was investigated with quantitative microradiography. Also characteristics of the TiF4-treated enamel surface were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ten pairs of premolars to be extracted for orthodontic treatment were used in the first part of this study. Brackets were bonded on all teeth with an orthodontic adhesive, and 10 randomly selected premolars served as controls, whereas a similar number were treated with 1% TiF4 around brackets for 60 seconds. After 4 weeks with no topical fluoride supplementation, all teeth were extracted and stored for analysis. Results indicated the 1% TIF4 solution reduced lesion depths and total mineral loss, at the bracket periphery, significantly during the 4-week period. The presence of a surface coating was demonstrated by SEM micrographs. It was concluded that TiF4 may provide a high level performance as a prophylactic agent for orthodontic purposes.

The effect of several topical fluoride agents on artificial lesion formation

NH4F, Na2SnF6, and TiF 4 were applied to human molars before in vitro lesion formation. Polarized light microscopy was used to evaluate the lesions formed; it showed that only the TiF4 treatment resulted in a reduction in lesion size when compared to APF test halves.