Scanning Electron Microscope Study of Human Enamel Surfaces Treated with Topical Fluoride Agents

The effect of a neutral sodium fluoride (NaF) gel and an acidulated phosphate fluoride (AFP) gel on surface morphology of twenty enamel specimens were obtained from human enamel were studied. Two groups of ten teeth were treated with one of the topical fluoride agents. Spherical globular agglomerates that are thought to be CaF2 particles, were observed when specimens were examined by scanning electron microscope on enamel surfaces. Then five specimens randomly chosen of each group were immersed in 1 mol/L KOH for 16 hours. As a result of etching properties of APF, prism etched pits were filled with small CaF2 particles. These results indicate that the CaF2 particles. These results indicate that the CaF2 particles formed in etched pits of the enamel do not dissolve in 1 mol/L KOH in in-vitro conditions which suggest that the same particles most likely are not cleared away by the saliva in the mouth under normal circumstances.