Effects of Stannous and Sodium Fluoride on Human Gingival Fibroblasts.

PosterBackground: Periodontal diseases are inflammatory conditions of the tooth supporting tissues. Although bacterial byproducts have been linked to periodontal diseases, host responses have also been implicated. This includes the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that are released from human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and induce connective tissue degradation. Fluoride has been shown to have inhibitory effects on MMPs in solution. The effects of fluoride on MMP expression from HGFs have not yet been examined. Methods: HGFs cultured from a sample of clinically non-inflamed gingival connective tissues were incubated with stannous fluoride and sodium fluoride to determine their effects on cell proliferation. HGFs were then incubated with or without stannous fluoride or stannous fluoride at the highest concentrations that did not affect cell proliferation and analyzed for MMP expression. Results: The highest concentrations that did not affect proliferation with respect to HGFs were 0.004% stannous fluoride and 0.0125% sodium fluoride. At these levels, MMP expression in HGFs did not differ significantly from untreated HGFs. Conclusions: MMP expression in HGFs was unaffected by treatment with stannous fluoride or sodium fluoride at the concentrations tested. Although these concentrations of sodium fluoride and stannous fluoride with respect to HGFs are lower than some fluoridated mouth rinses and dentifrices, the exact concentrations to which HGFs are exposed following exposure to a fluoridated medicament is unknown. This concentration is likely lower than the concentration of stannous fluoride or sodium fluoride in the medicament due to their position in the lamina propria