Root surface reactions to TiF4 and SnF2 solutions in vitro. An ultrastructural study

TiF4 gel effects on tubular occlusion of eroded/abraded human dentin

This in situ study evaluated the tubular occlusion caused by 4% TiF₄ gel on the surface of eroded/abraded dentin. Sixty human dentin samples were eroded in vitro and assigned into six groups (n = 10) according to the in situ surface treatment and number of cycling days: 4% TiF₄ gel applied once (TiF₄ 1), twice (TiF₄ 2), or three times (TiF₄ 3) followed by 2, 4, and 6 days of erosive/abrasive in situ cycling, respectively. Control groups (no treatment) were subjected to 2 (C1), 4 (C2), and 6 (C3) days of erosive/abrasive in situ cycling only. A seventh group (n = 10) was comprised by in vitro uneroded samples (UN), subjected to 6 days of in situ erosive/abrasive cycling. Each cycling day consisted on six erosive (0.5% citric acid, pH 2.6) and one abrasive events. Environmental scanning electron microscopy micrographs were taken. For all groups, blinded examiners assessed dentin tubules occlusion using visual scores (0-unoccluded, 1-partially occluded by granular deposits, 2-partially occluded by reduction in tubular lumen into diamond shape, 3-completely occluded) on images captured prior and after the in situ phase. Scheirer-Ray-Hare test demonstrated that treatments significantly affected tubule occlusion (p < .001). Dunn's test showed that tubule occlusion in TiF₄ 3 was significantly higher than in C1. Tubule occlusion in remaining groups did not differ from that observed in groups TiF₄ 3 and C1. Tubule occlusion was significantly higher after in situ phase. It may be suggested that TiF₄ , when applied three times, was able to positively change tubule occlusion of dentin samples.

Comparative evaluation of microhardness of dentin treated with 4% titanium tetrafluoride and 1.23% acidic phosphate fluoride gel before and after exposure to acidic pH: An ex vivo study

AIM

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the effect of 4% titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) and 1.23% acidic phosphate fluoride (APF) gel on the microhardness of human coronal dentin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty noncarious extracted premolars were collected and sectioned buccolingually with the help of diamond disk. Exposing the sectioned surface, teeth were embedded in self-cure acrylic. Exposed coronal dentin was polished with abrasive papers starting with 220-5000 grit. Microhardness was evaluated by Vickers microhardness evaluator, at four different stages as follows - stage 1: Baseline values, Stage 2: Exposure of specimens to acidic environment at a pH 1 for 5 min, Stage 3: Application of 1.23% APF gel and 4% TiF4 (after dividing the specimens into two groups, i.e., Group A and B, respectively), and Stage 4: Followed by exposure of fluoridated specimens to acidic protocol as mentioned above.

RESULTS

Paired t-test was used to compare the readings between Groups A and B. Group B has shown greater resistance to decrease in microhardness of coronal dentin (P < 0.05) on exposure to acidic protocol.

CONCLUSION

Due to acidic pH (1.5) of 4% TiF4, amount of increase in microhardness of dentin is <1.23% APF gel. 4% TiF4 was more effective in resisting demineralization than 1.23% APF gel.

Etching effect of acidic fluorides on human tooth enamel in vitro

OBJECTIVE

This in vitro study aimed to examine the etching effect of acidic fluoride solutions on enamel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

24 human teeth divided into 48 enamel-specimens were partly isolated with impression material. Specimens were exposed for 10 min to 20ml of the following solutions: 1.6% TiF4, 3.9% SnF2, 0.2% HF and 1.8% citric acid (CA). The isolation was removed and 24 specimens analysed by profilometry (Δheight: exposed/isolated enamel surfaces, surface roughness parameters). For the remaining 24 specimens [Ca(2+)] in the test solutions was analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Median Δheights (μm) after exposure were: TiF4 0.07, SnF2 -0.03, HF -0.14 and CA -5.92. TiF4-exposed surfaces showed both deposits and etched areas and exhibited statistically significant different surface roughness parameters compared to the HF- and SnF2-exposed surfaces. Median [Ca(2+)] values (ppm): TiF4 1.88, SnF2 0.11, HF 0.10 and CA 2.17.

CONCLUSION

At the [F] tested in this study it can be concluded that SnF2- and HF solutions had negligible erosive effects on enamel. TiF4 solution resulted in an incomplete surface deposition associated with calcium dissolution suggesting that TiF4 applied as solution may not be advisable.

Role of titanium tetrafluoride (TiF(4)) in conservative dentistry: A systematic review

The role of fluoride to reduce demineralization and enhance remineralization of dental hard tissue has been well documented. Different forms of fluoride solutions have been topically used in dentistry as prophylactic agents against tooth decay. In the recent past, metal fluorides, especially titanium tetrafluoride, have become popular in the fraternity of dental research due to their unique interaction with dental hard tissue. Many studies on titanium tetrafluoride, with positive and negative conclusions, have been published in many research journals. This gives the reader a plethora of inconclusive results with one study neutralizing the outcome of other, which confuses us regarding the present status of titanium tetrafluoride in the field of dentistry. This is an endeavor to organize and present the various studies of this unique compound, to provide us with a lucid overall review of its versatile potential application in dentistry, along with its fallacy/drawbacks. We have discussed its role as a cariostatic agent, pit and fissure sealant, tooth desensitizer, against dental erosion, as a root canal irrigant and others.

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.

In vitro reduction of dental erosion by low-concentration TiF4 solutions

The aims of this study were to compare daily versus single applications of low-concentration TiF(4) solutions for reduction of enamel erosion and to evaluate the enamel surface loss due to application of these solutions. Sixty bovine enamel samples were randomly divided into 2 groups: single versus daily treatment with TiF(4) solution (ST vs. DT), which were subdivided into 5 subgroups (n = 6): 0% (control); 0.1, 0.5, 0.75 and 1% TiF(4) concentration. Fluoride treatment was performed by immersing specimens in 10 ml of the TiF(4) solutions for 5 min and rinsing them with tap water for 30 s. ST specimens were treated once only, DT specimens were treated before each erosion cycle. All specimens were subjected to 4 erosion cycles: 6 immersions of 2 min in Sprite, tap water rinse for 1 min and storage in artificial saliva for 1.5 h. Erosive enamel loss was measured using light profilometry, after each fluoride treatment and each erosive cycle. The values of surface loss/gain at application of the TiF(4) solutions did not significantly differ from zero. At the end of the 4 erosion cycles, 0.5% showed the least (ST: 3.45 ± 0.27 μm, DT: 1.08 ± 1.69 μm) and 1% showed the most surface loss (ST: 4.87 ± 1.13 μm, DT: 6.56 ± 1.49 μm). A significant reduction of surface loss was found only for 0.5% DT (p = 0.009). Within the limitations of an in vitro study, it was concluded that multiple applications of a 0.5% TiF(4) solution significantly reduced enamel erosion in vitro and caused no enamel loss at application.

Effects of a new titanium fluoride derivative on enamel de- and remineralization

The potential of a new titanium fluoride (TiF) derivative for caries prevention was tested in a pH-cycling model. Daily treatments with various concentrations (100, 250, and 500 p.p.m.) of TiF were compared with similar sodium fluoride (NaF) treatments given at the same pH. Bovine enamel lesions were subjected to 3 wk of pH cycling. The effects were assessed by analyzing calcium uptake and loss in the re- and demineralizing solutions, respectively, and by post pH cycling microradiographic analysis of the lesions. Treatments with NaF reduced calcium loss, enhanced calcium uptake, and induced overall lesion remineralization. Treatments with TiF derivative gradually caused almost complete inhibition of calcium loss and uptake (lesion 'arrestment'), irrespective of the concentration of the TiF derivative. To test the permanence of protection, sound enamel was pretreated with either TiF derivative or NaF, and demineralized for 14 d at pH 4.4 and 4.6. Calcium loss data show that up to 80% inhibition of demineralization could be achieved for the TiF derivative, which was not possible for NaF treatments. This inhibition was obtained through a combination of concentration and number of treatments. The TiF derivative is a promising agent for the prevention of dental caries, especially when aimed at preventing the onset of caries.