Development and formulation of inorganic composites for fluoride buccal administration.

Common tooth disorders are represented by cavities, caused by tooth decay, pulpitis, periapical abscess, impacted teeth, and malocclusion. Epidemiological data from many countries highlight that there is a marked increase of tooth decay prevalence both in children and adults. Protective factors which include salivary calcium, phosphate and proteins, salivary flow, and fluoride in saliva can balance, prevent or reverse dental caries. The benefits of fluoride (F-) in the inhibition of carious lesion development and enhancement of lesion remineralization and as anticariogenic agent are well-documented. The aim of this work was to develop buccal patches able to give a controlled release of F- ions in order to obtain a complete and prolonged teeth protection. F- ions were intercalated in the lamellar inorganic matrix hydrotalcite (HTlc) then incorporated in a mixture of mucoadhesive and film-forming polymers (NaCMC and Polycarbophil). The mucoadhesive patches were studied in terms of swelling, mucosal adhesion and organoleptic characteristics; in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo release studies of fluoride ions-loaded patches were performed as well. Obtained results showed that the presence of HTlc matrix improves patches performances in terms of mucoadhesion and controlled release obtained by ion exchange mechanism. These formulations resulted highly versatile resulting applicable for the buccal administration of different active pharmaceutical ingredients as antinfiammatory and antimicrobical agents