Prenatal fluoride tablet supplementation and improved molar occlusal morphology: part V

This article is a report of an in vivo clinical study in which the relationship of sodium fluoride supplementation during pregnancy to the improved occlusal morphology of molar teeth seen in an animal model was determined. Two hundred randomly selected children composed the study population. The mothers of 100 of them had been on the prenatal supplementation (PNF) regimen and 100 whose mothers were not were found to have statistically significant differences in their occlusal molar morphology. Ninety-eight percent of the PNF children have a smooth, naturally sealed appearance to the occlusal surfaces of their primary molars and permanent first molars. The authors conclude that pitted and fissured molars are produced as a result of fluoride deficiency during the secretory phase of crown formation.