Sodium fluoride

Sodium fluoride

Sodium fluoride

Sodium fluoride (NaF) was one of the earliest used topical fluorides. This technique is introduced by Knutson. Hence it is called Knutsons techmique.

• Concentration of fluoride: 2% (9040 ppm fluoride).
• Recommended age groups: 3, 7, 11, 13 years.
• Recommended practice: 4 times at the recommended age at an interval of 1 week.

Method of Preparation

20gms of sodium fluoride is dissolved in 1litre of distilled water to obtain 2% concentration. The resultant solution is stored in plastic container and not in glass container because fluoride reacts with silica to form silico-fluoride and reduces the availability of active fluoride ions required for anti-caries mechanism.

Method of Application

Firstly oral prophylaxis is carried out. Isolation of the teeth quadrant or half mouth using cotton rolls. Dry the teeth by using compressed air. Required quantity of fluoride solution is taken in the plastic container. Apply solution on the teeth using an application brush (Paint on technique) quadrant-wise or half mouth. Repeat application every 15–30 seconds so as to keep the teeth moist with the fluoride solution. Solution is applied on the teeth for 4 minutes. Procedure is repeated on all the other isolated segments until all the teeth are covered. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th application is not preceded by oral prophylaxis and the flouride application is done at an interval of one week.

Mechanism of Action

When sodium fluoride is applied on the tooth surface, it reacts with hydroxyapatite crystals to form a thick layer of calcium fluoride. This calcium fluoride will react with hydroxyapatite to form fluorapatite which is more stable, less soluble, increases the rate of post-maturation of enamel and interferes with microorganism’s enzymatic action and, increases remineralization of incipient lesion. The solution is applied for only 4 minutes. If applied for more than 4 minutes, a thick layer of calcium fluoride is formed which does not allow the diffusion of fluoride ions from the topical solution to react with hydroxyapatite. This phenomenon is called choking mechanism.

Advantages

• Both the dentitions are benefited.
• Chemically stable(fresh solution need not be prepared every time)
• Acceptable taste.
• Non-irritant to oral tissues.
• Does not discolor the restoration.

Disadvantages

• Time consuming and longer visits (total of 16 visits).

Sodium fluoride Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski