Oral biofilm uptake of mineral ions released from experimental toothpaste containing surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the fluoride/mineral kinetics in an oral biofilm following concurrent application of fluoride and other mineral ions released from experimental toothpaste containing S-PRG filler using depth-specific analysis.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty subjects wore in situ plaque-generating devices, comprised of a pair of enamel slabs, and a biofilm was allowed to form. The devices were removed after three days, immersed in the toothpaste filtrate containing Al, B, Sr and F ions for 1 min, and then reinserted at the same location. After 30 min, the devices were removed and samples were obtained by sectioning into outer, middle and inner biofilm layers (300-μm thick). Samples treated with filtrate containing F without S-PRG filler extract served as the control. Fluoride and the three other mineral ions extracted from 4-μm sections were quantified using a fluoride electrode and ICP-AES, respectively. The results were corrected for biomass volume, estimated by the area measurement of stained 2-μm sections.

RESULTS

The mean uptake ratios (S-PRG/control, ng/mm) of Al, B, Sr and F were 186.6/53.7, 58.4/25.0, 456.9/125.7 and 43.6/12.0, respectively, in the outer layer, indicating that the mineral ions could easily diffuse into the biofilm. F concentrations in the outer biofilm treated using filtrate with S-PRG filler extract were significantly higher than those in controls, although both biofilms were exposed to filtrates containing the same level of F.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that toothpaste containing S-PRG filler promotes fluoride retention in oral biofilms via the uptake of other mineral ions.