The Role of Fluorides in Tooth Chemistry and in the Prevention of Dental Caries

Observation of Fluorine Invasion Condition in White Spots of Human Enamel Treated with Fluoride

“…From reports of the literature, when fluorine was applied to the tooth, CaF 2 occurs at high doses and FAP forms at low or medium doses [1][2][3][4] .…”

Caries-Preventive Fluoride Treatment of the Individual

“…Clinical trials during this first decade showed that 3 or 4 applications per year of sodium fluoride gave better and more consistent results (up to 40% reduction in caries) than fewer treat ments. Omission of cleaning the teeth prior to the treatment reduced the effectiveness [Bibby and Brudevold, 1954;Brudevold, 1966]. Although many investigations con firmed Knutson and Feldman's, findings, long-term studies to determine the effect of the procedure over several years are lack ing.…”

“…Although the findings sometimes were contradictory, the overall evidence strongly suggested that there was no correlation between anticaries and solu bility-reducing effects. In general, fluoridecontaining salts were found to reduce caries, while fluoride-free salts were ineffective [Bibby and Brudevold, 1954;Brudevold, 1966;Stookey, 1970], Agents reported to be clinically effective or ineffective are list ed in table I.…”

“…[Bibby and Bru devold, 1954;Brudevold, 1966;Horowitz and Heifetz, 1970], face is obviously important, but whether the mechanism of action involves changes in the physical characteristics of the enamel, antibacterial action of the deposited fluo ride, or both, has not been definitely estab lished.…”

“…Animal re search will not be considered. For more de tailed information and accounts of the great number of clinical studies performed prior to 1965, the reader is referred to more com prehensive reviews [Bibby and Brudevold, 1954;Brudevold, 1966;Bibby, 1968;Bru devold and McCann, 1968;Stookey, 1970;Horowitz and Heifetz, 1970;Horowitz, 1973;Levine, 1976;Brown et al, 1977;Moreno et al, 1977;Gr0n, 1977],…”