This document discusses acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF), a topical fluoride treatment used to prevent tooth decay. It is presented in two forms - a 1.23% fluoride solution with a pH of 3.0 or a gel with 1.23% fluoride and a pH between 4-5. APF is indicated for caries-active individuals and is applied using trays or cotton rolls, keeping the teeth wet for 4 minutes. It works by increasing fluoride uptake into enamel and providing topical fluoride to teeth. While effective, it has drawbacks like an acidic taste and potential to irritate tissues.

1. SRI AUROBINDO COLLEGE
OF DENTISTRY
DEPARTMENT OF PEDODONTICS AND
PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY

2. APF-ACIDULATED PHOSPHATE
FLUORIDE
GUIDED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
DR. BHARATH BHUSHAN SIR SHASHWAT PANCHAL
DR. KHUSHBOO BARJATYA MA’AM BATCH: 2017-2018
DR. BINTI CHAND MA’AM ROLL NO: 63
DR. PREENE JUNEJA MA’AM POSTING BATCH: [G]
DR. ABHILASHA M. TRIPATHI
DR. HARIOM MEENA SIR

3. CONTENTS
 DEFINITION
 INDICATIONS
 FORMS
 METHOD OF PREPARATION
 TECHNIQUE OF APPLICATION
 MECHANISM OF ACTION OF APF
 ADVANTAGES
 DISADVANTAGES

4. APF-ACIDULATED
PHOSPHATE FLUORIDE
It is a topical fluoride agent which directly apply to the erupted
tooth.
Fluoride ions in such agents do not penetrate deeply into
enamel.
These ions only tend to provide topical application

5. INDICATION FOR USE
 Caries active children
 In children shortky after tooth eruption
 In patients with reduced salivary flow due to medication
 Those receiving radiation for head and neck
 Patients with fixed and removable appliances , e.g., before cementation of
bands
 After placement or replacement of restoration and before cementation of
stainless steel compound
 Patients with eating disorder or undergoing a change in lifestyle
 Disabled or alternatively abled children

6. AFP PRESENT IN HOW
MANY FORMS?
It is present in two forms
Solution-1.23% F APF(12300ppm)
pH- 3.0
Gel- 1.23% F APF(12300ppm)
pH- 4-5

7. METHOD OF PREPARATION
OF SOLUTION FORM
To prepare APF solution dissolve 20g of NaF in
1 litre of 0.1M phosphoric acid
To this add 50% hydrofluoride acid to adjust the
pH at 3.0 and f ion concentration at 1.23%

8. TECHNIQUE OF APPLICATION
Brudevold technique(1963)
 Do a thorough prophylaxis and isolate a quadrant with a
cotton roll
 Keep the teeth moist for 4 min
 APF solution is continuously and repeatedly applied
with cotton applicators
 Pass the floss through each interproximal embrasure to
ensure wetting of these surface
 Repeat the procedure for remaining quadrant
 Instruct the patient not to eat ,drink , or rinse for 30 min

9. ADVANTAGES
Fluoride uptake following the application of APF
solution is greatly accelerated , whereas that
following NaF is much slower. 50% more effective
than NaF
APF solution is cheap, can be prepared easily.
It is stable with a long shelf-life,when stored in an
opaque plastic bottle

10. DISADVANTAGE
Teeth must be kept wet with the solution for 4 min
APF solution is acidic,sour and bitter in taste, so
necessitates the use of suction

11. METHOD OF PREPARATION OF GEL
FORM
To prepare a gel , a gelling agent methycellulose and
hydroxyethyl cellulose is to be added to the solution
and the pH is adjusted between 4-5

12. TECHNIQUE OF APPLICATION
Do a thorough prophylaxis and dry the teeth
Fill the U/L trays simultaneously into the mouth and have the
patient bite down tightly for 4 min
Thixotropic gel displays a high viscosity at low shear rates and
a very low viscosity at higher shear rates. The clinical
importance of this is that the gel thins out under biting forces
and more easily penetrate between the teeth
Conversely, when it is not under the stress it remain in the tray
and does not tend to run down the patient’s throat
Instruct the patients not to eat,drink or rinse for 30 min

13. TRAY WITH APF
AGENT

14. MECHANISM OF ACTION OF
APF

15. ADVANTAGE
Acceptable by the child due to flavored taste
Easy to apply with the gel fluoride comes in constant
contact with teeth,so re-application is not required
Can be self-applied
Thixotropic propert
Caries reduction is more when compared to APF
solution

16. DISADVANTAGE
Can cause irritation to inflammed gingival tissue and
to the open carious lesion; thus, it should be applied
only after restoration of all carious teeth

17. THANK YOU