Effect of fluoride application after dental prophylaxis by the type of dental floss

Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of fluoride application after dental prophylaxis by the type of dental floss. Methods: Artificial caries lesion was made on the surface of cow's permanent teeth having sound enamel surface and vickers hardness number(VHN) was measured. Specimens were classified into APF gel group and artificial saliva group. Each group was divided into waxed floss group and unwaxed flossed group. All specimens were immersed into the artificial saliva for one minute and dental f lossing was applied to waxed or unwaxed floss. After washing and drying, APF gel groups were applied with fluoride for four minutes an d artificial saliva groups were immersed into the artificial saliva for four minutes. After treatment, specimens were measured by VHN and surface conditions of enamel were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Results: VHN of waxed flossing and fluoride application group increased to 6.78±2.75. VHN of unwaxed flossing and fluoride application group increased to 7.36±2.51. There was no significant difference between waxed and unwaxed groups(p>0.05). VHN of waxed flossi ng and artificial saliva group increased to 1.07±2.84. VHN of waxed flossing and artificial saliva group increased to 1.05±3.13. There was no significant difference between waxed and unwaxed groups(p>0.05). There was significant increase in VHN between waxed/unwaxed flossing and fluoride application. However, waxed/unwaxed flossing with artificial saliva showed no significant V HN increase. SEM demonstrated no residue on the enamel surface in the waxed flossing groups.