AimThe aim of our study was to chronologically analyse various public health measures of fluoride use in caries prevention.MethodsWe systematically searched the PubMed database on the preventive role of fluorides in public health, published from 1984 to 2014. The search process was divided into four steps, where inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. Qualitative methodology was used for the article analysis. In the research process, the described forms of F use, diversity of the described F agents, and the observed population group were analysed.ResultsIn our systematic review, 40 relevant reviews were revealed. Fluorides have been used in many different forms, but only a few studies showed their significant role in public health. Water fluoridation was the most important public health measure. In the recent decades, the number of studies on topical fluorides is constantly rising. The most extensively described topical forms of fluorides are professionally applied fluoride agents and fluoride toothpaste for home-use. The use of fluoride containing toothpaste in caries prevention is a safe and successful public health measure (PHM) if their use is widespread, and it is recommended for all. The results on other topical forms of fluorides are insufficient to be suggested as an important PHM.ConclusionsThe role of fluorides in public health prevention has changed in accordance with the knowledge about the fluoride cariostatic mechanism. Previously the most important pre-eruptive effect of fluorides was supplemented by the post eruptive effect. Abundant evidence exists to show the effectiveness of systemic and topical fluorides.

Background: Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by palmoplantar keratoderma together with a severe form of generalized aggressive periodontitis and associated with mutations in cathepsin C gene (CTSC). Objective: To investigate the clinical and mutational characteristics of 6 PLS patients from 4 unrelated Slovenian families. Methods:CTSC mutational and functional analyses were performed. Results: In all patients, a novel homozygous substitution, c.-55C>A, in the CTSC 5′-untranslated region (UTR) was detected on genomic DNA level and confirmed by mRNA analysis, resulting in the almost complete loss of CTSC mRNA expression and CTSC activity. In silico analysis revealed the potential of the mutation to disrupt putative transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) for AP-2 and Sp families of transcription factors. Conclusion: Identification of a novel CTSC 5′-UTR mutation together with a severe reduction of CTSC mRNA expression and virtually nonexistent CTSC activity was suggestive of a novel mechanism of TFBS dysfunction associated with PLS.

Objectives White spot lesions (WSLs), as a side effect of orthodontic therapy, can be treated with fluoride varnish, with the difference in efficiency reported. Material and methods Patients with buccal WSLs were consecutively included in a randomized controlled double‐blind study. At first inspection and at three follow‐ups over 6 months, 0.1% fluoride varnish and placebo (water) were applied in the test group (N = 21) and control group (N = 21), respectively. The maximum laser fluorescence value (LFV) of WSLs was recorded using DIAGNOdent. Between the groups, differences in the mean numbers of WSLs and the mean LFV of WSLs per patient at different time points were analyzed with mixed‐design analysis of variance. Orthodontic therapy duration (OTD) was included in the model as a covariate. Results A decrease in the mean WSLs number and LFV was observed; however, there were no significant differences between study groups at any time point. OTD was in interaction only with LFV. Analysis showed a different pattern of mean LFV changes for patients with OTD of >48 months compared to patients with OTD of ≤24. Conclusion The changes in numbers of WSLs and LFV over the study period indicated regression of WSLs, but an additional effect of FV was not confirmed.

Replantation and retention of ankylosed tooth after pubertal growth spurt enables stepwise replacement of both central incisors with implants. Partial extraction contributes to natural gingival contour.