[Caries protective effectiveness of fluoride varnish in animal experiments and clinical research]

Fluoride containing varnishes represent clinically proved means for individual caries prevention by topical application due to their prolonged contact time between fluoride and enamel. The fluoride accumulation in vitro and in vivo, the inhibition of demineralization, the experimentally and clinically proved reduction of caries and the toxicological safety during varnish application are reviewed. A reduction of caries between 20-50 per cent may be registered after semiannual application of such varnishes due to their high caries protective properties.