The Effect of Demineralization on SnF2-Treated White Spot Enamel Lesions

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Abstract
It has been shown that the application of stannous fluoride (SnF2) solution increases the resistance of sound enamel to demineralization. The effect of SnF2 on demineralized enamel was investigated in this study, as was the effect of an increased application temperature on the reaction products. Artificial white spot lesions were formed in intact human buccal enamel. They were then subjected to a second period of acid attack either with or without pretreatment with 10% SnF2 solution applied for 30 min at 37 or 50 °C. The results of this treatment were investigated on cross-sections using microhardness and microradiographical techniques. SnF2 applied at either treatment temperature, resulted in an increase in the linear absorption coefficient of the microradiograms. It also reduced the degree of demineralization of the second attack when this was measured both in terms of microhardness and of lesion depth. SnF2, application at 50 °C gave significantly better results than those achieved at 37 °C. This could be due to the enhanced formation of Sn3F3PO4 and fluorapatite and indicates that more attention should be paid to the application temperature.