Effect of low fluoride dentifrices on microhardness of sound enamel. In vitro study.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of dentifrices containing low fluoride concentrations on microhardness of sound enamel in 50 healthy young premolar teeth. They were divided into five different groups according to the concentrations of fluoride in dentifrice used. The Vickers hardness of enamel was measured using a Zwick microhardness tester under 1000 g load and a Vickers indenter before and after the application of fluoride dentifrices. The results of the present study suggest that low fluoride concentration dentifrices are as effective as the higher concentrations in increasing the hardness of enamel.