Caries-preventive effect of fluoride varnish with different fluoride concentrations

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Cariology
• Public Health

Background:

• Fluoride is crucial for caries prevention.
• Current high fluoride concentrations in professional dental varnishes may be excessive.
• Sodium fluoride varnish (Duraphat) efficacy with reduced concentration needs evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if reducing sodium fluoride varnish (Duraphat) fluoride concentration from 2.3% to 1.1% impacts clinical efficacy.
• To compare the caries-preventive effects of high and low fluoride concentration varnishes in children.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial involving 274 children aged 12-14 years with high caries experience.
• Participants received annual applications of 2.3% or 1.1% sodium fluoride varnish for 3 years.
• Clinical and radiographical examinations assessed decayed, missing, or filled surfaces (DMFS) increments.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference in mean total DMFS increments between the 2.3% and 1.1% fluoride varnish groups.
• DMFS increments were 5.5 vs 5.7 (initial caries excluded) and 14.3 vs 14.9 (initial caries included).
• No significant surface-specific DMFS increment differences were observed; potential efficacy difference is likely minimal.

Conclusions:

• Reducing the fluoride concentration of sodium fluoride varnish to 1.1% appears to maintain clinical efficacy comparable to 2.3% for caries prevention in children.
• Lowering fluoride concentration in Duraphat is a viable consideration for pediatric dental treatments.
• The study suggests that a lower fluoride concentration varnish is effective for caries prevention in high-risk children.