[Fluoride deposition in the dental enamel following the use of a fluoride-containing gel studied by a nuclear physics method (PIGE)].

Abstract

The caries-preventing activity of fluorine is a surfact in the medicine. Dentists and physicists analysed with a new nuclear physical method the fluorine uptake of the tooth enamel after application of new caries-preventive agents. The fluorine profile of the first 3 microns of the enamel surface from deciduous teeth was established after three years clinical treatment with two new developed fluorine gels from the VEB Leipziger Arzneimittelwerk in comparison with Elmexgelee and a control agent. The determination of the fluorine profiles was performed using proton-induced gamma rays emission (PIGE) on the 2-MV van de-Graaf accelerator of the institute of practical nuclear physics of the physical faculty from the Karl-Marx-Universität Leipzig. The two new developed gels and Elmexgelee caused a similar fluorine concentration in tooth enamel. The fluorine profiles from the new developed gel A and the clinical approved caries preventive agent Elmexgelee are comparable. Gel A is produced under the trade mark "Laweflour" by the VEB Leipziger Arzneimittelwerk.