The dissolution rate of calcium-fluoride-like material from the enamel surface in vivo appears to be much slower than previously thought. This could be due to adsorption of phosphate ions and/or protein molecules to the surface of the calcium-fluoride-like particles. During cariogenic challenges, the phosphate/protein coating is released, resulting in increased solubility rate of the calcium-fluoride-like material. Due to this mechanism, calcium-fluoride-like material may be a major aspect of the cariostatic mechanism of topically applied fluoride. Topically applied neutral fluoride agents are able to inhibit caries development in enamel but not completely stop lesion development. A fluoride solution at low pH has been found to be more effective in caries model studies than neutral fluoride agents, which might be due to the formation of a larger depot of calcium fluoride. Data from fluoridated areas indicate that the fluoride ion as such has a limited effect on lesion development, and a major mechanism of the cariostatic effect may be reformation of apatite (remineralization). The product of lesion consolidation (a fluoridated apatite) may have a limited effect, since Intraoral caries model studies show that even pure fluorapatite, in the form of shark enamel, demineralizes. In fissures and around orthodontic appliances, conventional fluoride agents appear to have only a small effect.
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