Enhanced fluoride uptake in enamel with a fluoride-impregnated prophylactic cup.

A series of in vitro studies have been performed to study the release of tin and fluoride from an experimental prophylactic cup and the influence of this release on the fluoride content of enamel. It has been found that the release of fluoride from the prophy cup during a simulated prophylaxis results in a significant increase in the fluoride content of the treated enamel. It has also been observed that in those instances in which the fluoride-containing paste has a pH of less than about 3.8 this effect is partially additive to the increase in the fluoride content of enamel associated with the use of fluoride-containing prophylactic pastes. Collectively, these findings suggest that this prophylactic cup merits further investigation as a practical means of increasing the value of the prophylaxis phase of a multiple-fluoride treatment program for the partial control of dental caries.