Titanium tetrafluoride and dental caries: a systematic review

Tetrafluoreto de titânio e cárie dentária: uma revisão sistemática

REVIEW

Titanium tetrafluoride and dental caries: a systematic review

Tetrafluoreto de titânio e cárie dentária: uma revisão sistemática

Rubiane Diógenes Alves^I; Tatyana Maria Silva de Souza^I; Kenio Costa de Lima^II

^IMasters in Preventive and Social Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal/Brazil

^IIAssociate Professor, Masters Program, Preventive and Social Dentistry, UFRN

^{Corresponding address}

ABSTRACT

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of titanium tetrafluoride as a preventive or cariostatic agent against caries. The databases used to find the articles analyzed were MEDLINE LILACS, and BBO. In MEDLINE and LILACS the search strategy utilized was "titanium" [Words] and "tetrafluoride" [Words] and Spanish or English or Portuguese [Language], whereas In BBO "titânio" [Words] and "tetrafluoreto" [Words] and Espanhol or Inglês or Português [Language]. Out of a total of 42 studies found, which assessed possible preventive/cariostatic effects of titanium tetrafluoride against caries in vivo, only 2 were selected. In both studies, titanium tetrafluoride was shown to be effective against caries. However, given that the quality and consequently the validity of these two clinical studies are questionable, their results do not allow to conclude that titanium tetrafluoride is effective against caries clinically.

Uniterms: Dental caries; Titanium; Tetrafluoride; Cariostatic agents.

RESUMO

Esta revisão sistemática foi desenvolvida com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia do tetrafluoreto de titânio como agente preventivo contra a cárie e/ou cariostático. Foram revisados, através da BIREME, artigos publicados nas revistas indexadas nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS e BBO, utilizando as estratégias de busca titanium [Palavras] and tetrafluoride [Palavras] and Spanish or English or Portuguese [Idioma] na MEDLINE e no LILACS, já na BBO foram utilizados titânio [Palavras] and tetrafluoreto [Palavras] and Espanhol or Inglês or Português [Idioma]. De um total de 42 trabalhos diferentes encontrados, que avaliaram os efeitos preventivo/cariostático do tetrafluoreto de titânio contra a cárie in vivo, apenas 2 foram selecionados. Em ambos os estudos, o tetrafluoreto de titânio se mostrou efetivo contra a cárie. No entanto, considerando que a qualidade e, conseqüentemente, as validades desses poucos trabalhos clínicos existentes estão abertas para alguns questionamentos, conclui-se que os resultados apresentados não nos permitem dizer se o tetrafluoreto de titânio apresenta benefícios nos cuidados relacionados à cárie.

Unitermos: Cárie dentária; Titânio; Tetrafluoreto; Cariostáticos.

INTRODUCTION

Fluorides are the most frequently used agents applied to the dental enamel surface to try to obtain greater resistance against caries. However, their effectiveness on patients with high caries activity has been put into question⁸. Due to a number of animal and in situ studies showing that titanium fluoride (TiF₄) provides a higher level of protection than other fluorides against caries, TiF₄ has recently attracted considerable interest. The first in vitro tests performed in 1972 gave rise to studies on the effect of titanium tetrafluoride on dental enamel as a protective agent against caries^5,10. Since then, several studies involving titanium tetrafluoride have been undertaken in an attempt to confirm its cariostatic properties. The findings of these studies reveal that when titanium tetrafluoride is applied to the dental enamel surface there is formation of fluoridated apatite, decreasing enamel solubility due to both an increase in the content of fluoride and formation of a film which protects the enamel against the action of acids^2,5,10.

A number of studies report that in addition to its cariostatic effects, titanium tetrafluoride may also be used for other purposes such as in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity⁶, for the prevention of microleakage and secondary caries in cavities prepared in dentin or for decreasing root permeability by modifying the smear layer^1,9,12.

Despite this, the entire effect and all the beneficial properties that this drug may or may not possess are still not completely understood. Studies are underway to try to further investigate its promising properties, effectiveness, duration of use, as well as its optimal concentration. In an attempt to provide greater insight into such issues, this systematic review was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of titanium tetrafluoride against caries.

METHODOLOGY

Search strategy

Internet research: articles from journals indexed in MEDLINE, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature on the Health Science) and BBO (Brazilian Bibliography of Dentistry) databases were accessed via BIREME (Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information – www.bireme.br). The search strategy used in MEDLINE and LILACS was "titanium" [Words] and "tetrafluoride" [Words] and Spanish or English or Portuguese [Language], whilst in BBO "titânio" [Words] and "tetrafluoreto" [Words] and Espanhol or inglês or Português [Language].

The only studies selected were human clinical trials which assessed possible preventive/cariostatic effects of titanium tetrafluoride against caries. In vitro studies, in situ studies, clinical trials on animals and studies which assessed other properties of titanium tetrafluoride were excluded.

RESULTS

Seventeen of the studies found in MEDLINE were carried out between 1993 and 2005 and 17 between 1966 and 1992, whereas in LILACS 3 studies were found and 9 in BBO. The 3 studies found in LILACS may also be found in BBO, where one article being referenced twice (once as a dissertation and once as a journal publication). From a total of 42 different studies found (34 in English and 8 in Portuguese), only 2 In vivo studies assessed the preventive/cariostatic effects of titanium tetrafluoride against caries, among which 1 was encountered in MEDLINE, between the years of 1966 and 1992 and 1 between 1993 and 2005. Figure 1 summarizes the studies analyzed indicating their objectives, methodologies and results.

DISCUSSION

Randomized controlled clinical trials are studies that carry more weight when evaluating the effectiveness of clinical interventions, since they are extremely rigorous and are aimed at measuring and comparing the outcomes of two or more interventions.

The two studies selected for the present review^2,11 suggest that TiF₄ is effective against caries. However, the quality and consequently the validity of these studies are questionable.

An analysis of the quality of these studies reveals that they are both controlled studies, although only one of them is blind where it was reported that the individuals involved did not know which treatment was being performed or assessed in order to avoid the influence of confounding factors.

With regard to sample size and method of selection, these were not considered ideal. In Bbüyükyilmaz et al (1994)² the number of teeth involved were insufficient for any conclusions to be drawn whereas in Reed and Bibby (1976)¹¹ it is not clear whether the sample was randomly selected.

Both studies^2,11 used 1% TiF₄ for 1 minute. These results differ from those of current trials focusing on the frequency of fluoride use, where it has been observed that fluorides are more effective when applied with greater frequency and in lower concentrations ⁸.

When compared to other fluorides, TiF₄ presented an increase in caries that was 33% lower than APF ¹¹. In other studies performed on animals, comparing TiF₄ to SnF₂, APF and CuF₂, the experimental group treated with TiF₄ was the only that did not present root caries⁷. No significant differences were encountered in caries reduction on buccal + lingual surfaces, occlusal fissures and in total caries when TiF₄ was compared to NaF with pH 1.5 or 7 ¹³.

Perhaps the supremacy of TiF₄ in relation to other fluorides, found in some studies, are due to the mechanism of action of TiF₄ which, in addition to the formation of fluoridated apatite, which reduces enamel solubility, also produces a titanium dioxide layer forming a protective film against acids^2,5,7.

With respect to this protective film, promising results were observed, since despite the masticatory and abrasive forces of brushing and of food particles this protective layer, resultant from TiF₄ application, was still present up to 1 year later ³.

As to the protection against cariogenic attacks, it was observed that TiF₄ prevented root caries formation ⁷, but when faced with a more intense attack, it may have only modified the pattern of carious lesion formation ¹⁰.

A number of studies evaluated reduction of lesion depth and mineral loss after TiF₄ application and obtained different results. While a 56% reduction in lesion depth was found in one study⁴, another presented 37% ². In relation to mineral loss, the values were 62% ⁴ and 14% ², respectively. However, the distinct conditions under which such studies were performed must be considered, since one involved a clinical trial with a very small sample size that used TiF₄ at 1% ², whereas the other was an in situ study using a concentration of 4% and similarly a small sized samplel⁴.

These studies on animals^7,13 and in situ ^4,5,10 also show satisfactory results of TiF₄ against dental caries. However randomized controlled clinical trials are necessary to confirm the effectiveness of TiF₄ clinically.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the articles evaluated, and considering both the paucity of human clinical trials and the quality of the studies analyzed, the results presented do not allow to conclusively state that titanium tetrafluoride application is beneficial against caries in the clinic. More clinical studies are warranted to address the many omissions identified in the studies reviewed. Hopefully, such clinical trials will provide in the near future a clearer picture regarding the effectiveness of titanium tetrafluoride against dental caries.

Received: September 22, 2004

Modification: May 16, 2005

Accepted: August 15, 2005

• 1- BRZOZOWSKI ME. Influência da aplicação do tetrafluoreto de titânio na permeabilidade dentinária do sistema endodôntico. São Paulo; 2002. [Tese de doutorado - Faculdade de Odontologia da USP].
• 2- Büyükyilmaz T, Tangugsorn V, Ogaard B, Arends J, Ruben J, Rolla G. The effect of titanium tetrafluoride (TiF₄) application around orthodontic brackets. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 1994 Mar;105(3):293-6.
• 3- Büyükyilmaz T, Sen BH, Ogaard B. Retention of titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4), used as fissure sealant on human deciduous molars. Acta Odontol Scand. 1997 Apr;55(2):73-8.
• 4- Büyükyilmaz T, Ogaard B, Duschner H, Ruben J, Arends J. The caries-preventive effect of titanium tetrafluoride on root surfaces in situ as evaluated by microradiography and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Adv Dent Res 1997 Nov;11(4):448-52.
• 5- Castro RAL. Efeito da aplicação de tetrafluoreto de titânio sobre o esmalte dentário humano oclusal: um estudo in situ Rio de Janeiro; 2001. [Dissertação de Mestrado - Faculdade de Odontologia da UFRJ].
• 6- Charvat J, Söremark R, Li J, Vacek J. Titanium tetrafluoride for treatment of hypersensitive dentine. Swed Dent J. 1995;19(1-2):41-6.
• 7- Cordeiro JGO. The effect of various fluoride compounds on the development of experimental root surface caries in hamsters. Bull Tokyo Med Dent Univ. 1995 Dec;42(3):105-16.
• 8- Hausen H. How to improve the effectiveness of caries-preventive programs based on fluoride. Caries Res. 2004;38:263-7.
• 9- Kazemi RB, Sen BH, SpanberG LS. Permeability changes of dentine treated with titanium tetrafluoride. J Dent. 1999 Sep;27(7):531-8.
• 10- Morais AP, Souza IPR, Chevitarese O. Estudo in situ do esmalte dental humano após aplicação de tetrafluoreto de titânio. Pesqui Odontol Bras. 2000 Abr./Jun;14(2): 137-43.
• 11- Reed AJ, Bibby BG. Preliminary report on effect of topical applications of titanium tetrafluoride on dental caries. J Dent Res. 1976 May/Jun;55(3):357-8.
• 12- Sen BH, Büyükyilmaz T. The effect of 4% titanium tetrafluoride solution on root canal walls - a preliminary investigation. J Endod. 1998 Apr;24(4):239-43.
• 13- Skartveit L, Spak CJ, Tveit AB, Selvig KA. Caries-inhibitory effect of titanium tetrafluoride in rats. Acta Odontol Scand. 1991;49:85-8.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  20 Jan 2006
• Date of issue
  Dec 2005

History

• Accepted
  15 Aug 2005
• Reviewed
  16 May 2005
• Received
  22 Sept 2004