Objectives: To determine whether there are any differences in fluoride (F), calcium (Ca) or phosphate (PO(4)) concentrations in natural plaque biofilms between the upper right and left quadrants using a fluoride sustained slow-releasing device (FSSRD) placed in the upper right quadrant after 7 and 21 days. To report and validate a new methodology in measuring very low concentrations of F in dental plaque and saliva using ion chromatography.
Methods: Twenty-one participants were divided into two groups with 11 participants in group one and 10 in group two. Each participant had a FSSRD attached to the upper right second permanent molar and two plaque generating devices (PGDs) attached to the upper right and left first permanent molars. The PGDs were recovered after 7 days in group one and 21 days in group two.
Results: At both 7 and 21 days (right, left), F (1.081±1.517 ppm, 0.736±0.840 ppm) and (0.459±0.888 ppm, 0.203±0.139 ppm), PO(4) (1053±533 ppm, 654±246 ppm) and (865±1099 ppm, 474±304 ppm) and Ca (136±132 ppm, 74±36 ppm) and (130±109 ppm, 77±24 ppm), were higher in the quadrant containing the FSSRD but not significantly so (p>0.05). Fluoride and PO(4) fell in both quadrants between 7 and 21 days, though not significantly.
Conclusions: Intriguingly while not statistically significant, 21 day plaque contained less fluoride than those investigated after 7 days. While the data was not statistically significant, it seems possible that F, Ca and PO(4) accumulated around the device to a limited extent but were washed away fairly quickly and distributed around the oral cavity.
Clinical importance: The FSSRD was found to reduce dmfs/DMFS by 76% and raise salivary F levels by ∼10 folds. This device is very helpful in reducing dental decay where compliance is impaired such as in patients with special needs. This study further investigates the anti-cariogenic effect of this device.
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