Abstract
In order to elucidate the mechanism by which tannin-fluoride preparation (HY agent) strengthens tooth structure, I have carried out a series of experiments on the influence of the HY agent and its components on teeth. This time I investigated its effect on type I collagen.
The materials used in the experiment were a saturated solution of the HY agent, zinc fluoride, and strontium fluoride, a tannic acid solution with essentially the same tannic acid concentration as the HY agent, and a sodium fluoride solution of essentially the same fluoride concentration as the HY agent. A buffered phosphate salt solution was used as a control. I exposed type I collagen to each of these solutions and investigated changes in weight, the inhibitory effect these components had on swelling caused by acetic acid and water, and anti-enzymatic properties.
Not only did the HY agent and tannic acid markedly inhibit swelling of the collagen resulting from acetic acid and water, but it also dramatically elevated the anti-enzymatic properties. Similar results were also observed to a much lesser extent for zinc fluoride.
