Time-dependent effect of fluoride on caries lesions development in a rat caries model
Since model dose-response is critical when assessing caries lesion development over time, this study evaluated the influence of fluoride dose and treatment duration on caries progression in a rat caries model. Streptococcus mutans-infected Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with deionized water, 226 ppm F-, or 2,260 ppm F- twice daily for 3, 4, or 5 weeks. Caries lesions were assessed using…
This study examined the impact of fluoride on caries lesions in rats over varying lengths of time. Three groups of Streptococcus mutans-infected Sprague-Dawley rats received different fluoride treatments: deionized water, 226 ppm F-, or 2,260 ppm F- applied twice daily for 3, 4, or 5 weeks. Researchers assessed caries severity using a modified Keyes scoring system and compared results with micro-computed tomography (microCT) images.
Fluoride was found to reduce caries severity in a dose and time-dependent manner. Early enamel lesions were observed in all groups, but extensive dentine lesions only appeared over time and in higher fluoride doses. Intraoral and bone fluoride availability rose with increased fluoride concentration and treatment duration, while serum fluoride levels were influenced more by dosage than duration.
MicroCT data showed a negative correlation between enamel volume and caries scores, indicating microCT's potential as a reliable measure of lesion severity. Overall, extending the rat model to 5 weeks led to more severe caries lesions, and both fluoride and treatment duration showed dose-dependent effects on lesion development.
Written by urgent.news from bioRxiv's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
