Estandarización de la técnica de biopsia para determinación de fluoruro en esmalte dental

Abstract

Introduction. Pre-eruptive incorporation of fluoride into dental enamel reflects its systemic exposition during amelogenesis, leading to the use of dental enamel as a biomarker of fluoride exposure. There are not reported studies in Colombia using the enamel biopsy technique, which allows the determination of the fluoride distribution pattern throughout dental enamel.

Aim. To standardize the enamel biopsy technique and determine the fluoride content in the enamel of sound unerupted teeth.

Methods. With ethical approval and informed consent forms, there were collected 5 third unerupted molar-teeth and of each tooth it were obtained two enamel blocks from the middle third of the crown, in a cross-sectional way. All surfaces were covered with acid-resistant wax leaving the external enamel surface exposed, which were treated with 0.5M HCl for 15, 30, 60, and 120 seconds under constant agitation. Fluoride concentration was determined in each acid extract by means of a fluoride ion-specific electrode and the mass of removed enamel was established (grams) after Pi analyses. The fluoride content in each layer of removed enamel was determined (μg F/g enamel) and in the total of removed enamel (μg F/cm3). Results: There was a fluoride distribution pattern from the surface to the inner enamel, being higher the fluoride concentration in the outer enamel surface (1663.49 ± 266.61 μg F/g enamel). Total fluoride concentration in the total of removed enamel was 1.02 ± 0.25 μg F/cm3.

Conclusions: Enamel biopsy technique was standardized. There was found a fluoride distribution pattern from the surface to the inner enamel, similar to the data reported in the literature.