Effect of TiF4 varnish on microbiological changes and caries prevention: in situ and in vivo models

• Published in: Clinical oral investigations 2019-06, Vol.23 (6), p.2583-2591
• Main Authors: Alexandria, Adílis Kalina, Nassur, Camila, Nóbrega, Carolina Bezerra Cavalcanti, Branco-de-Almeida, Luciana Salles, dos Santos, Katia Regina Netto, Vieira, Alexandre Rezende, Neves, Aline Almeida, Rosalen, Pedro Luiz, Valença, Ana Maria Gondim, Maia, Lucianne Cople
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical trials; Computed tomography; Demineralization; Dental caries; Dental enamel; Dentistry; Enamel; Fluoride treatments; Fluorides; Medicine; Original Article; Statistical analysis; Sucrose; Teeth; Toxicity
• ISSN: 1432-6981; 1436-3771
• DOI: 10.1007/s00784-018-2681-x

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate microbiological changes, oral soft tissue toxicity, and caries-preventive effect of an experimental titanium tetrafluoride (TiF 4 ) varnish compared with a commercially available fluoride varnish (NaF), using in situ and in vivo models. Materials and methods The treatment groups were the following: TiF 4 varnish (experimental varnish), Duraphat® (fluoride positive control), placebo varnish (no fluoride), and no treatment (negative control). The varnishes were applied once over the enamel surface using a microbrush. For the in vivo study, 48 Wistar rats were infected with Streptococcus sobrinus 6715, received a treatment, and were submitted to a cariogenic challenge. After 4 weeks, S. sobrinus , oral soft tissue toxicity, presence, and severity of caries were evaluated. For the in situ study, 12 volunteers took part in this randomized crossover, double-blind study performed in four phases of 14 days each. They used intraoral appliances containing four enamel specimens that received the varnish according treatment group. After 24 h, the varnish was removed and plaque accumulation was allowed. A 20% sucrose solution was dripped over the enamel blocks (10×/day for 5 min each). Total streptococci, S. mutans , Lactobacillus , Candida spp. counts, and presence of white spot lesions were evaluated. Lesion depth was also quantified by micro-CT. Results For the in vivo study, the fluoride (F-varnishes) showed a statistically significant reduction in the percentage of S. sobrinus compared to the negative control ( p