title: Fluoride varnishes: should we be using them?
abstract: Fluoride varnishes are fast becoming the standard of care as topical fluoride treatments. Fluoride varnishes still await approval from the FDA for use as caries preventive agents. In the meantime, their use for such purposes is considered "off-label." This article highlights the efficacy of fluoride varnishes as caries preventive agents and introduces some of the commercially available fluoride varnishes to the reader. As more clinical trials in the US unravel the efficacy of these agents, there is little doubt that fluoride varnishes will become an integral part of our preventive armamentarium in the battle against dental caries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA. Vaikuntam@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaikuntam
mesh_terms: D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D017277:Drug Approval; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010150:Paint; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012821:Silanes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C120870:Duraflor; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012821:Silanes; C023807:sodium fluoride topical preparation; C022599:Fluor Protector; D012969:Sodium Fluoride