Effect of Polyols on Phosphorus-Containing Calcium Fluoride Deposition on Hydroxyapatite Surfaces

Abstract

The present study investigated how polyols (sugar alcohols) affect the formation of calcium fluoride (CaF₂) in the presence of fluoride on synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) as a model of tooth enamel. HA plates were immersed in sugar alcohol solutions containing 10-60 (w/w)% xylitol, D-sorbitol, or glycerol and 1000 ppm fluoride at room temperature to analyze CaF₂ formation on the surfaces. Only glycerol enhanced fluoride incorporation significantly and induced a nanoscale spherical deposition on the HA surface composed of calcium, fluoride, and a small amount of phosphorous according to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis. Overall results suggest that glycerol is capable of dissolving HA surfaces and enhancing phosphorous-containing CaF₂ deposition, which can potentially prevent dental caries through the enhanced remineralization of enamel surfaces. Thus, fluoride may be involved in controlling the entire process of CaF₂ deposition, dissolution, and remineralization of enamel.