Surface properties of fluoride treated hydroxyapatite as judged by interactions with albumin and lysozyme.

Hydroxyapatite treated with fluoride containing both alkali soluble fluoride (CaF2) and alkali stable fluoride (FAp) was shown to take up less albumin than hydroxyapatite but more lysozyme. The affinity of the adsorption of albumin to fluoride treated apatite was increased, whereas no difference was demonstrated in the affinity of lysozyme. Tooth surfaces in vivo contain both calcium fluoride and fluoroapatite. Protein adsorption to mixed phases may thus have clinical significance.