Journal of Dental Research, Vol 63, 1206-1210, Copyright © 1984 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Fluoride-treated roots and viability and attachment of human gingival fibroblasts
W. A. Al-Joburi, F. R. Denys and R. B. Cogen
Topical fluoride treatment is used to help prevent root caries. It may also
be useful in periodontal therapy because of its antimicrobial property. In
addition, for therapeutic new attachment to occur, the fibroblasts
approximating the treated root surface should remain viable, and should
also be able to attach and grow onto the treated root surface. These
conditions, at least, are required for fluoride not to interfere with new
attachment. This study was designed to determine whether treatment of roots
with fluoride adversely affects human gingival fibroblasts in culture; and
what effect fluoride treatment has on attachment and growth of cells to the
root surface. Cells originally obtained from human gingiva were allowed to
grow to confluency in multi-well tissue culture petri dishes, and were then
incubated for 24 hr in the presence of root sections as follows: (1) no
treatment; (2) root-planed only; (3) 2% NaF only; (4) root-planed + 2% NaF;
(5) root-planed + citric acid, pH 1 + 2% NaF. In addition, cells were
plated onto roots similarly treated and were subsequently allowed to
incubate for 72 hr. Viability of cells was determined by exclusion of vital
dye and 51Cr retention. Attachment and growth of cells were determined by
histology and scanning electron microscopy. Results indicated that, after
24 hours' exposure, there was little or no difference in cell viability
between different treatment groups and control cultures. Also, all roots
which had been planed accommodated cell attachment, regardless of
additional treatment rendered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
