The use of fluoride varnishes in the prevention of dental caries: a short review.
OBJECTIVE
To review the current literature regarding the anti-caries efficacy of fluoride varnishes. To analyse a series of studies designed to detect the caries preventive efficacy of fluoride varnishes by means of meta-analysis.


METHODS
Current literature on fluoride varnishes has been reviewed. An evaluation of the results of the available in vitro, animal and human studies on the anti-caries efficacy of these preventive agents was performed. A systematic literature search and a meta-analysis were also performed to assess the caries preventive effects of fluoride varnishes. The purpose of this analysis was to calculate the overall preventive efficacy of clinical fluoride varnishes treatment studies, based on defined methodological criteria.


RESULTS
The efficacy of fluoride varnishes in caries prevention is clearly demonstrated in several experimental studies. Clinical trials show caries incidence reduction ranging approximately from 18% to 70%. Nevertheless, available studies show a high degree of heterogeneity and only three were found to meet a series of defined methodological criteria. All the three studies were based on a comparison between 0.2% NaF rinses and a fluoride varnish. The meta-analysis showed no significant differences between the two treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Available data suggest that fluoride varnishes are a useful tool in caries prevention. One may conclude that fluoride varnishes, when applied regularly, demonstrate good caries preventive properties.
Strohmenger
L
L
Department of Pedodontics, University of Milan, School of Dentistry, Milan, Italy. Laura.Strohmenger@unimi.it
Brambilla
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007764:Lacquer; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014070:Tooth / Q000378:metabolism; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000378:metabolism
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D009067:Mouthwashes; D012969:Sodium Fluoride