Caries Preventive Effect of Two Fluoride Varnishes and a Fluoride Mouthrinse

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of fortnightly rinsing with a 0.2% fluoride solution and two fluoride varnishes. A total of 204 ten- to 13-year-old children, in 24 school classes, participated in the study. The school classes were randomly divided into three groups. The first group rinsed with the fluoride solution every second week during the school year, and the second and third groups received semiannual applications of Duraphat® or Fluor Protector®, respectively. Clinical and radiographical examinations were performed at the baseline and after 2 years. The mean caries increments were adjusted for initial DMFS values and age. The increment in the Duraphat group was significantly lower than that in the rinsing group (p < 0.01) and in the Fluor Protector group (p < 0.05). The difference between the rinsing and Fluor Protector group was not statistically significant. The results suggest that the replacement of teacher-supervised fluoride rinses by semiannual application of Duraphat is worth considering.

Caries-Preventive Effects of Fluoride Products when Used in Conjunction with Fluoride Dentifrice

“…In conclusion, there is less evidence for the efficacy of Fluor Protector when compared to Duraphat, both in combination with fluoride dentifrice. This statement is supported by findings of Seppä and Pöllänen [1987]. In 10-13-year-old children, they found a caries reduction of 14% when using Fluor Protector and of 38% with Duraphat, both applied twice a year.…”

“…The fluoride content of Fluor Protector was changed from 7,000 to 1,000 ppm in the late 1980s. Seppä and Pöllänen [1987] did not declare the fluoride content. Probably they used the old formulation.…”

Professional Topical Fluoride Applications— Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Action

“…In three studies, fluoride varnish applications performed semi-annually or four times a year have been more effective than fluoride rinses once or twice a week (Koch et al, 1979;Axelsson et al, 1987;Seppa and Pollanen, 1987). However, the results of studies comparing the efficacies of these two regimens are inconclusive.…”

An Evaluation of the Use of Professional (Operator-applied) Topical Fluorides

“…Although fluoride varnish treatment is an operator-intensive technique, especially when a prior prophylaxis and salivary isolation are performed, five clinical trials have compared the effects of fluoride varnish treatment with those of fluoride mouthrinsing (Koch et af., 1979;Hamp et af., 1984;Kirkegaard et aI., 1986;Axelsson et af., 1987;Seppa and Pollanen, 1987). In four of the five studies, the treatment cohorts involved fewer than 100 subjects each.…”