Incorporation of Fluoride by Human Enamel: I. Solid-State Diffusion Process
ROBERT I. STEARNS 1
1 Director of Research The Lorvic Corporation, 8810 Frost Ave, St. Louis, Missouri 63134, USA
The incorporation of fluoride by human enamel from topical fluoride solutions involves the process of diffusion and is partially governed by Fick's laws of diffusion. Further, the law of mass action applies, and the fluoride within the enamel is partitioned into substitutional and interstitial species. Thus, the phenomenon must be considered from the viewpoint of physical solid-state chemistry to understand it on an atomistic level.
Submitted on November 3, 1969
