Fluoride Varnishes for Preventing Occlusal Dental Caries: A Review.

Alaa Baik,Najlaa Alamoudi,Azza El-Housseiny,Amani Altuwirqi

doi:10.3390/dj9060064

Alaa Baik, Najlaa Alamoudi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/dj9060064

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Abstract

Dental caries are most likely to occur on occlusal surfaces from the early eruptive stages of the tooth. In children, about 80% to 90% of dental caries are occlusal caries. Different preventive modalities are used to prevent occlusal caries. One of the methods used for occlusal caries prevention is fluoride varnish. A vast number of clinical trials have evaluated several types of sealant material and fluoride varnish to assess their ability to prevent occlusal caries in both primary and permanent dentition. The purpose of the current study was to provide an updated overview of the development, composition, mechanism of action, application, and safety of fluoride varnish, as well as its effect on occlusal caries prevention. This review of recently published studies on fluoride varnish and its effect on occlusal caries prevention shows that in children at moderate to high risk of caries, fluoride varnishes prevent occlusal caries. Both resin-based fissure sealants and fluoride varnish are effective for occlusal caries prevention for first-permanent molars. However, it was not possible to identify which one has the best effect. It is recommend that fluoride varnish is applied for children at high risk of caries two to four times per year.

Highlights

Tooth decay is one of the most common microbiological infectious diseases worldwide.The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 60% to 90% of all children of school age have experienced dental caries [1]
In 1964, professionally applied fluoride varnishes were developed by a German researcher called Schmidt, who used them to prevent dental caries
The varnishes were developed to maximize the time of fluoride exposure to overcome the disadvantages of existing topical fluoride systems, such as fluoridated mouth rinses and gels, by increasing the adherence of fluoride to the enamel of the teeth and extending the duration of uptake [23]

Summary

Introduction

Tooth decay is one of the most common microbiological infectious diseases worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 60% to 90% of all children of school age have experienced dental caries [1]. Dental caries is a multifactorial disease affecting both children and adults that leads to demineralization of the tooth structure. The main causative factors include the presence of endogenous cariogenic bacteria, frequent consumption of fermentable carbohydrates, and a susceptive tooth and host [2]. Dental caries can progress if left untreated, it can be prevented, reversed, or arrested at its initial stages [3]. Prevention and minimal intervention treatment following early detection of the lesion are becoming the new philosophy for managing dental caries

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