Action of Fluoride on Initiation of Early Enamel Caries in vivo

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Abstract
The influence of daily fluoride mouthrinsing on development of enamel lesions was investigated in an in vivo caries model. A local cariogenic environment was created on the buccal surface of premolars scheduled for extraction by applying orthodontic bands favouring plaque accumulation. Daily mouthrinsing with a neutral 0.2% NaF solution was carried out by 5 patients during a 4-week period. Another 5 patients served as control; no fluoride supplementation was given while the bands were in position for 4 weeks. The mineral content of the teeth was determined by contact microradiography and quantified by microdensitometry. Fluoride rinsing resulted in a substantial retardation of lesion development compared to the non-fluoride group. The reduction of mineral loss in the rinsing group was 80% and the lesion depth was reduced by a factor of 3. The results show that daily fluoride rinsing gives nearly total caries protection even in the poorly accessible areas under orthodontic bands. The fluoride level in saliva after fluoride rinses was measured in 5 children. The salivary fluoride levels ranged between 17 and 115 ppm but decreased rapidly during the 3 h after rinsing.