Dental Fluorosis and Localized Enamel Opacities in Fluoride and Nonfluoride Danish Communities

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Abstract
Assessment of dental fluorosis and localized enamel opacities was performed amongst children resident in areas having < 0.2, 1.0 and 2.4 parts/106 F- in the drinking water. Evaluation of dental fluorosis was done by Dean’s classification system as well as the clinicohistological system described by Thylstrup and Fejerskov in 1978. Fci was 0.02, 0.56 and 1.33 respectively, and the pattern of dental fluorosis within the dentition followed that previously described for high fluoride areas. The dental fluorosis score for the buccal surface of the first maxillary premolar was disclosed by statistical analysis as representative for the dentition. Corroboration between Dean’s and the clinicohistological scoring system occurred in 47% of cases. Localized enamel opacities were observed in 43, 37 and 33% of children of the three areas respectively. An observed marked tendency towards decreasing proportions of localized enamel opacities in teeth with more pronounced dental fluorosis indicated that fluoride-induced enamel porosities mask localized opacities. Thus, the clinicohistological classification system is considered the most appropriate method for describing an individual’s exposure to fluoride during the period of tooth formation.