Efficacy and safety of TiF4 varnish in preventing erosive tooth wear in a rat animal model

An animal model was applied to develop erosive tooth wear (ETW) and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of titanium tetrafluoride (TiF₄) in preventing ETW. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 16): TiF₄ (2.45% F^-), NaF (2.45% F^-) and placebo varnishes. Eight from each group were subjected to erosive challenges (Sprite Zero) and the other received tap water, both ad libitum. After twenty-eight days, the mandibles were resected for histopathological gingival analysis, clinical and microscopic tooth evaluation by 3D confocal laser microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) and micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS). Organs were evaluated with respect to fluoride content. No significant difference was found in F content in tissues. No histopathological damage was seen in gingiva. ETW was clinically more aggressive in rats from placebo group consuming Sprite compared to water (Q²=12.6, p < 0.01), in accordance with confocal images. TiF₄ was superior in reducing cross-section area loss (0.036 ± 0.01µm²) compared to NaF and placebo, respectively (0.044 ± 0.01/0.063 ± 0.01µm², ANOVA, p < 0.0001). Dentin exposure was detected by SEM in rats belonging to placebo consuming Sprite. Peaks compatible with typical apatite bands were visible. TiF₄ reduces the progression of ETW without causing any relevant side-effect and the rats' model was able to simulate ETW in vivo.