EFFECT OF FLUORIDE IN NATURAL POLYMER ON ENAMEL DEMINERALIZATION

We have developed a sodium fluoride containing gelatin and methyl cellulose gel. Cariostatic abilities of those gel were investigated and compared with APF gel and fluoride varnish(). We prepared the bovine tooth samples and divided into two surface, control side and experimental side in same specimen for exclusion of difference between specimens. The experiment was consisted of 4 groups : (I) APF gel : (II) : (III) Gelatin F gel : (IV) Methyl cellulose F gel Decalcification were produced by placing each specimen into artificial acidic solution(pH 4.0) for 72 hours. Surface microhardness were measured and depth of demineralization lesion were measured by polarizing light microscope. The results were as follows: 1. The difference of VHN between control and experimental side is smallest in group I (p0.05). 4. The difference of lesion depth is smallest in group I (p0.05). The result of the present study indicate that the fluoride containing gelatin and methyl cellulose gel is more effective than APF gel and is similar to fluoride varnish application for prevention of demineralization.