Evaluation of Fluoride Prophylaxis Pastes

The fluoride (F) uptake from two commercial prophylaxis pastes and a newly formulated prophylaxis paste was compared. The enamel fluoride uptake of 26 extracted sound human molars was measured using an acid etch biopsy method. The F uptakes in ppm (mean ± SEM) for the control prophy pastes (C), Zircate treatment paste (Z), an APF paste (Nupro, A), and a new experimental paste (N) were 1145 ± 65, 1245 ± 72, 1857 ± 296, and 1841 ± 321, respectively. The enamel biopsy depths in μm (mean ± S.D.) for the control, Zircate, APF pastes, and Newpaste were 6.64 ± 1.75, 7.4 ± 2.32, 6.55 ± 2.23, and 7.69 ± 1.80. The Newpaste appeared to give a significantly higher fluoride uptake than Zircate and control pastes, but was very similar to an APF paste.