Effective Fluoride Gel Application on Deciduous Tooth Enamel by Low Temperature Atmospheric Plasma

Background: Low temperature atmospheric plasma has been studied in biomedical fields but the fluoride application effect of plasma on deciduous teeth has not been studied. This study examined the fluoride application effect of plasma devices (low frequency helium and microwave argon plasma) on the enamel surface of deciduous teeth. Methods: : In the tooth specimens of the control group, only 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel was applied, whereas APF gel and plasma were applied to the specimens of the experiment group. The fluoride on the enamel surface was measured at different treatment times, and its retentivity was also observed over a 4 week period using an electron probe micro analyzer, which is a strong detector of fluoride. The study protocol was reviewed by the Institutional Review Board (IRB; PNUDH-2014-026) of Pusan National University Hospital. Results: : More fluoride was measured and maintained in the experiment group than the control group, and the amount of coated fluoride increased with increasing applied frequency. A comparison of two types of plasma revealed the microwave argon plasma to have a higher application effect of fluoride than the low frequency helium plasma. This study suggests that fluoride application using plasma could be an effective and lasts longer than the method of applying only fluoride. Conclusion: The fluoride application with low temperature atmospheric plasma which is safe device is an innovative method to prevent dental caries and decrease number of visiting to dental clinic in children.