Comparison of three topical fluorides using computer imaging.
The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the short and long-term effectiveness of fluoride varnish and compare it with the two most commonly used topical fluorides, i.e., fluoride gel and foam. A second purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of these preparations on primary and permanent teeth. Enamel slabs with a thickness of 500 microns were obtained from caries free primary molars and premolars. They were divided into four groups: control, foam (F), gel (G) and varnish (V). Fluorides were applied to the enamel slabs according to the manufacturer's instructions and were placed in a 5.1 pH acidic gel for one week. The amount of demineralization from the enamel was measured by calculating the amount of light reflected from these surfaces. This was done by using a Charged Couple Device attached to a high resolution microscope with image processing software, Optima 5.22. The enamel slabs were placed in a freshly prepared acidic gel for a second week without application of fluorides. This was done to mimic a situation where fluoride is eventually brushed away from teeth. Reflective images were recorded under the previously described conditions. A two-way analysis of covariance was used to compare the treatments. The results showed no statistically significant difference (with Bonferroni correction) in the effectiveness of different fluoride preparations over the short-term (Week I comparison; p-values: F vs. G 0.079, F vs. V 0.030, G vs. V 0.44). However, the long-term protection provided by fluoride varnish was far more than fluoride gel and foam (Week II comparison; p-values: F vs. G 9X10-5, F vs. V 7X10-8, G vs. V 1X10-4). Fluorides were equally effective for both primary and permanent enamels (p-value 0.24). The results of this study suggest that fluoride varnish is beneficial for use with white spot lesions, newly erupted permanent teeth and early decalcification in primary dentition.
Khattak
Muhammad Faisal
MF
Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
Conry
John Patrick
JP
Ko
Ching-Chang
CC
D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019229:Dentition, Permanent; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D010150:Paint; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D005782:Gels; C023807:sodium fluoride topical preparation; D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride; D012969:Sodium Fluoride