Alkali soluble and alkali insoluble fluoride retention in demineralized enamel in vivo.

Demineralization of enamel was induced by applying orthodontic bands in 15 patients having two of their premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons. After a 4-wk caries induction period, eight patients were instructed to rinse their teeth once daily with a neutral 0.05% NaF solution, whereas seven patients received a single treatment with a neutral 2% NaF solution. The bands were reattached to the teeth during the fluoride treatment period and the teeth were extracted after two more weeks. Three consecutive enamel layers were etched off, and a significant uptake of fluoride in all three layers were found in both treatment groups. A larger part of the deposited fluoride was retained in an alkali insoluble form (i.e. fluorapatite) compared with previous studies of sound enamel. It is suggested that the chemical conditions in the cariogenic milieu were favorable for transformation of the fluoride into a stable apatite structure.