Localized fluoride release from fluorine-carrying polyphosphonates.

Fluoride release from fluorine-carrying copolymers of vinylphosphonate induced by calcium apatite and tooth enamel has been investigated. Fluoride ions were determined potentiometrically in the study of calcium hydroxyapatite, and Auger spectroscopy was used to study the fluoride release to enamel. The adsorbed copolymer of vinylphosphonic acid and vinylphosphonyl thiofluoride was shown to release fluoride to calcium hydroxyapatite and to enamel. The oxygen analog has shown a similar behavior with calcium hydroxyapatite, but not with tooth enamel. The results suggest a potential application of such copolymers as caries preventive agents which combine the effects of polyphosphonates and of fluoride ions.