Evaluation of different fluoride concentrations supplemented with trimetaphosphate on enamel de- and remineralization in vitro

Trimetaphosphate (TMP) effects on demineralized bovine enamel were studied after 15 days of pH cycling. Treatments included 30 wt% (weight percent) dilutions of 0, 500, 1,500 or 3,000 µg F/g aqueous NaF solutions with or without 3% TMP. Treated specimens were assessed by transverse microradiography. With the exception of the 3,000 µg F/g case, 3% TMP addition provided significant additional overall remineralization compared with F alone. Mineral content profiles differed significantly between corresponding F and F + TMP groups. Fluoride alone resulted in more remineralization in the original demineralized zone, whereas F + TMP caused less demineralization in the underlying, originally sound enamel.