Effect of enamel surface modification by novel aqueous phosphate-type fluoride surfactants.

Three novel aqueous fluoride surfactants (F4, F6, and F8) and a positive control (10F2S-3I) were applied to bovine enamel and the surface free energy was calculated by measuring the surface contact angles of three liquids: distilled water, α-bromonaphthalene and diiodomethane. The specimens were stored in water for 90 days, and then immersed in acetic acid/sodium acetate. The modified specimens recorded higher contact angles and lower surface free energy immediately after treatment than the control (p<0.05). Less calcium dissolved from the modified enamel surfaces than the control, with the F8-modified specimen registering significantly lower values than those of the F4, F6 and 10F2S-3I groups (p<0.05). These results suggest that the novel aqueous phosphate-type fluoride surfactant F8 is the most effective anti-cariogenic surface modifier.