Permeability changes of dentine treated with titanium tetrafluoride

Objectives: The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of titanium tetrafluoride on dentine permeability in comparison with sodium fluoride and acidulated phosphate fluoride to determine their contribution to acid resistance of dentine. Methods: Thirty-two dentine discs were prepared from extracted mandibular molars. The hydraulic conductance of all discs was measured before and after the formation of smear layer. The discs were then randomly divided into five experimental and one-control groups. Coronal surfaces of dentine discs were treated with either fluoride solutions of NaF, APF, 1% TiF4, 0.5% TiF4 and 0.1% TiF4 or de-ionised water. Following the measurement of hydraulic conductance, treated surfaces were subjected to 25% citric acid application. Then, final permeability measurements were made. The data were statistically analysed using ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD multiple comparisons. Results: While smear layer formation considerably reduced dentinal permeability of dentine discs, fluoride or de-ionised water application to smeared surfaces did not cause any significant change in hydraulic conductance (p>0.05). After citric acid application, control and NaF groups showed higher permeability values than 1%, 0.5% and 0.1% TiF4 and APF groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: Clinical use of acidic solutions of titanium tetrafluoride in dentine cavities may be considered since smeared dentine surfaces are modified to a stabile and acid-resistant state.