Deposition of loosely bound and firmly bound fluorides on tooth enamel by an acidic gel containing fluorosilicate and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate.

The amounts of loosely bound fluoride (F) deposited on human enamel by 4-min and 2-hour treatments with either acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) or a monocalcium phosphate monohydrate and sodium hexafluorosilicate (MCPM-SHFS)-containing gel were measured with the use of a constant-composition F washing method. Enamel biopsies conducted before treatment and after washing were used to determine the firmly bound F uptake. The results showed that the MCPM-SHFS treatments produced significantly more loosely bound F than did the APF treatments. The 4-min treatment with either APF or MCPM-SHFS did not produce significant firmly bound F deposition, but the 2-hour treatments did, with that produced by MCPM-SHFS being significantly greater. The MCPM-SHFS gel, which had the same F content as APF and which may be applied to the proximal tooth surfaces in vivo without the use of a tray, has the potential to be more efficacious than APF because it deposits greater amounts of both loosely bound and firmly bound F.