Effect of 1000 ppm relative to 250 ppm fluoride toothpaste. A meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the overall effect of 1000 ppm F relative to 250 ppm F toothpaste.


METHODS
Experimental caries increment studies from the dental literature, which compared 1000 ppm with 250 ppm fluoride toothpastes, were summarized using meta-analytic methods.


RESULTS
The overall caries reduction of 1000 ppm F relative to 250 ppm F paste was estimated to be 0.142 (95%-CL: 0.074-0.210) when applying a fixed effects model and 0.129 (95%-CL: 0.012-0.230) when applying a random effects model.


CONCLUSIONS
The present analysis found slightly lower caries increments (14%, 13%) in children using 1000 ppm F toothpastes compared to children using 250 ppm F pastes. On the other hand, the use of 1000 ppm F pastes is associated with dental fluorosis. Considering these effects it seems justifiable to the authors to keep the use of 250 ppm F pastes for preschool children in Switzerland.
Steiner
Marcel
M
Clinic for Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology, Center of Dentistry, University of Zurich, Plattenstrasse 11, CH-8028 Zurich, Switzerland. marcel.steiner@zzmk.unizh.ch
Helfenstein
Ulrich
U
Menghini
Giorgio
G
D000293:Adolescent; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000737:chemistry*
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides