Enamel fluoride in relation to severity of human dental fluorosis

The aim of this study was to test whether the concentrations of fluoride in fluorotic human enamel are related to the degree of severity of dental fluorosis classified according to the index described by Thylstrup and Fejerskov. Teeth representing the entire spectrum of human dental fluorosis were analyzed. Fluoride concentrations were determined by serial acid-etching from surface to interior of blocks of enamel cut from each tooth. Fluoride was measured by ion electrode and calcium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that the pattern of distribution of fluorotic enamel is similar to that described for normal enamel. Increasing severity of fluorotic lesions was associated with increasing concentrations of fluoride throughout the enamel. It is concluded that although further studies are required to establish the relative contribution of fluoride which may be taken up posteruptively by fluorotic enamel, the findings support the hypothesis that the TF index reflects increasing exposure to fluoride during tooth development.