[Fluoride in osteoporosis: still an experimental and controversial treatment]

Fluoride has been used in the treatment for osteoporosis for more than 30 years but its use is still controversial. Fluoride stimulates the osteoblasts to form new bone tissue. However, the new bone has an abnormal texture and is less mineralized and relatively less strong. In patients with osteoporosis treated with fluoride, the bone mineral density of the skeleton increases. On the other hand, the effects of fluoride treatment on the incidence of fractures are controversial and in some studies an increased fracture incidence was observed. In addition, fluoride often causes upper gastrointestinal complaints and a lower extremity pain syndrome, which is caused by stress fractures and may last for several months. For these reasons, fluoride treatment should only take place in the framework of clinical trials.