Fluoride treatment

Guided bone regeneration is a common treatment, and bio-materials treated with fluoride are displaying cell proliferation that can improve this process.

The Journal of Oral Implantology reports on a study of bio-resorbable synthetic hydroxyapatite granules used as a bone supplement material. When these granules were exposed to a four percent sodium fluoride solution, cell proliferation was increased.

Bone regeneration techniques include the use of artificial materials such as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate. Implant products are being made with surface coatings or textures that have a biological effect on protein attachment and cell proliferation. When fluoride is added to this surface, it activates osteoblastic, or bone-making, cells and increases the rate of bone regeneration.

In this study, hydroxyapatite granules were treated with a neutral 4 percent sodium fluoride solution. This led to the formation of a reactant resembling calcium fluoride on the surface of the granules. Immediate but slow release of fluoride came from the granules, and the concentration increased over time. Migration of human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells was confirmed when compared to a nonfluoridated control sample.