MORPHOLOGIC EFFECTS ON L929 FIBROBLASTS OF TITANIUM TETRAFLUORIDE APPLICATION

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tita nium tetrafluoride solution on L929 fibroblasts by scanning electron m icroscopy. Titanium tetrafluoride was then compared with sodium fluori de and acidulated phosphate fluoride. Study design. Cells were treated with fluoride solutions for 1 minute either directly, through a filte r membrane with a pore size of 0.4-mu m, or indirectly, through dentin disks; they were then investigated at an electron microscopic level. Results. Fluoride application on smeared dentin disks showed fewer cyt otoxic effects on fibroblasts than application on nonsmeared dentin di sks. Acidulated phosphate fluoride and titanium tetrafluoride appeared to be more cytotoxic than sodium fluoride. Because all fluoride solut ions used in this study contained the same fluoride concentration, pH was considered to be the main factor causing the higher toxicity. Conc lusion. Because these solutions demonstrated toxicity in vitro, they m ust be further evaluated under in vivo conditions to ascertain their c linical safety.