Ytterbium(III) fluoride (YbF₃)

Ytterbium(III) fluoride (YbF₃) is an inorganic compound used primarily as a radiopaque agent in dental and endodontic materials. It contains ytterbium—one of the lanthanide series elements—which has a high atomic number (Z=70), making YbF₃ highly opaque to X-rays and advantageous for enhancing the visibility of dental restorations and cements in radiographic imaging[1][2][3][4][5][6]. YbF₃ is not a biological receptor, enzyme, or pharmacological target, but rather a filler added to dental materials to achieve sufficient radiopacity without markedly altering other key physical or bioactive properties when used at appropriate concentrations (typically 2.5–30% by weight). It is not implicated in physiological signaling or disease pathways. Increasing concentrations may affect some mechanical properties such as compressive strength and final setting time, but YbF₃ is considered safe and effective for its intended material science application at recommended levels[2][3][6]. It does not interact with drugs and is not a therapeutic or diagnostic target in the conventional biochemical sense.

Other names

Ytterbium trifluorideYbF₃Ytterbium(III) fluoride