Fluoride Varnish – A Review
Main Article Content
Keywords
Fluoride, fluoride varnish ,novel, early childhood caries ,dental caries
Abstract
This review article provides an overview of the use of fluoride varnish in dental practice. Fluoride varnish is a topical fluoride treatment that has been shown to be effective in preventing dental caries, particularly in children and adolescents. The article discusses the mechanism of action of fluoride varnish, its application techniques, and its safety profile. The review also covers the evidence supporting the use of fluoride varnish in various patient populations, including high-risk individuals and those with special needs. Additionally, the article explores the potential side effects of fluoride varnish, as well as strategies to minimize these effects. Finally, the review highlights the importance of incorporating fluoride varnish into a comprehensive preventive oral health program.
References
1. Knutson JW, Armstrong W. The effect of topically applied sodium fluoride on dental caries experience. Publ Health Rep 1943;58:1701-1715.
2. Newbrun E. Evolution of professionally applied topical fluoride therapies. Compend Contin Educ Dent 1999;20 (Suppl 1):5-9.
3. Heuser H, Schmidt HF. Dental caries prophylaxis by deep impregnation of the dental enamel with fluorine lac [article in German]. Stoma (Heidelb) 1968;21:91-100.
4. Seppa L. Efficacy and safety of fluoride varnishes. Compend Contin Educ Dent 1999;20:18-26.
5. Zimmer S, Robke FJ, Roulet JF. Caries prevention with fluoride varnish in a socially deprived community. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1999;27:103-108.
6. Peyearon M, Matsson L, Birkhed D. Progression of approximal caries in primary molars and the effect of Duraphat treatment. Scand J Dent Res 1992;100:314- 318.
7. Holm GB, Holst K, Mejare I. The cariespreventive effect of a fluoride varnish in the fissures of the first permanent molar. Acta Odontol Scand 1984;42:193-197.
8. Klimek J, Prinz H, Hellwig E, Ahrens G. Effect of a preventive program based on professional toothcleaning and fluoride application on caries and gingivitis. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1985;13:295- 298.
9. Maiwald HJ, Kunzel W, Weatherell J. The use of a fluoride varnish in caries prevention. J Int Assoc Dent Child 1978;9:31-35.
10. Wegner H. The clinical effect of application of fluoride varnish. Caries Res 1976; 10:318-320.
11. Retief DH, Bradley EL, Holbrook M, Switzer P. Enamel fluoride uptake, distribution and retention from topical fluoride agents. Caries Res 1983;17:44-51.
12. Milgrom P, Rothen M, Spadafora A, Skaret E. A case report: Arresting dental caries. J Dent Hyg 2001;75:241-243.
13. Fontana M, Gonzalez Cabezas C. Topical application of stannous fluoride inside of cavity preparations: A review of the literature. J Indiana Dent Assoc 1995;74:22-24.
14. Shen C, Autio-Gold J. Assessing fluoride concentration uniformity and fluoride release from three varnishes. J Am Dent Assoc 2002;133:176-182.
15. Attin T, Hartmann O, Hilgers RD, Hellwig E. Fluoride retention of incipient enamel lesions after treatment with a calcium fluoride varnish in vivo. Arch Oral Biol 1995;40:169-174.
16. Haugejorden O, Nord A. Caries incidence after topical application of varnishes containing different concentrations of sodium fluoride: 3-year results. Scand J Dent Res 1991;99:295-300.
17. Acuna V, von Beetzen M, Caracatsanis M, Sundstrom F. In vitro fluoride uptake by enamel and dentin. A comparative study of two varnishes. Acta Odontol Scand 1990;48:89-92.
18. Donly KJ. Fluoride varnishes. J Calif Dent Assoc 2003;31:217-219.
19. Chu CH, Lo EC, Lin HC. Effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride and sodium fluoride varnish in arresting dentin caries in Chinese pre-school children. J Dent Res 2002;81:767-770.
20. Arnbjerg D. Use of professionally administered fluoride among Danish children. Acta Odontol Scand 1992;50:289-293.
21. Ogard B, Seppa L, Rolla G. Professional topical fluoride applications—Clinical efficacy and mechanism of action. Adv Dent Res 1994;8:190-201.
22. Modeer T, Twetman S, Bergstrand F. Three-year study of the effect of fluoride varnish (Duraphat) on proximal caries progression in teenagers. Scand J Dent Res 1984;92:400-407.
23. Seppa L, Pollanen L, Hausen H. Caries preventive effect of fluoride varnish with different fluoride concentrations. Caries Res 1994;28:64-67.
24. Lindquist B, Edward S, Torell P, Krasse B. Effect of different carriers preventive measures in children highly infected with mutans streptococci. Scand J Dent Res 1989;97:330-337.
25. Pienihakkinen K, Jokela J. Clinical outcomes of risk-based caries prevention in preschool-aged children. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2002;30:143-150.
26. Ogaard B. The cariostatic mechanism of fluoride. Compend Contin Educ Dent 1999;20 (1 Suppl):10-17.
27. Blinkhorn A, Davis R. Using fluoride varnish in the practice. Br Dent J 1998;185: 280-281.
28. Seppa L. Effect of dental plaque on fluoride uptake by enamel from a sodium fluoride varnish in vivo. Caries Res 1983;17 71-75.
29. Warren DP, Henson HA, Chan JT. Dental hygienist and patient comparisons of fluoride varnishes to fluoride gels. J Dent Hyg 2000;74:94-101.
30. Bawden JW. Fluoride varnish: A useful new tool for public health dentistry. J Public Health Dent 1998;58:266-269.
31. Bader JD, Shugars DA, Bonito AJ. Systematic reviews of selected dental caries diagnostic and management methods. J Dent Educ 2001;65:960-968.
32. Petersson LG, Twetman S. Dahlgren H, Norlund A, Holm AK, Nordenram G, Lagerlof F, Soder B, Kallestal C, Mejare I, Axelsson S, Lingstrom P. Professional fluoride varnish treatment for caries control: A systematic review of clinical trials. Acta Odontol Scand 2004;62:170-176.
33. Shulman JD, Wells LM. Acute fluoride toxicity from ingesting home-use dental products in children, birth to 6 years of age. J Public Health Dent 1998;57:150-158.
34. Roberts JF, Longhurst P. A clinical estimation of the fluoride used during application of a fluoride varnish. Br Dent J 1987;162:463-466.
35. Ekstrand J, Koch G, Petersson LG. Plasma fluoride concentration and urinary fluoride excretion in children following application of the fluoride-containing varnish Duraphat. Caries Res 1980;14:185-189.
36. Ekstrand J, Koch G, Lindgren LE, Petersson LG. Pharmacokinetics of fluoride gels in children and adults. Caries Res 1981;15: 213-220.
37. Ekstrand J, Koch G, Petersson LG. Plasma fluoride concentrations in pre-school children after ingestion of fluoride tablets and toothpaste. Caries Res 1983;17:379- 384
38. Isaksson M, Bruze M, Bjorkner B, Niklasson B. Contact allergy to Duraphat. Scand J Dent Res 1993;101:49-51.
39. Beltran-Aguilar ED, Goldstein JW, Lockwood SA. Fluoride varnishes. A review of their clinical use, cariostatic mechanism, efficacy and safety. J Am Dent Assoc 2000;131:589-596.
40. Duraphat [package insert]. Canton, MA: Colgate-Palmolive;2003.
41. Clark DC. A review on fluoride varnishes: An alternative topical fluoride treatment. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1982; 10:117-123.
42. Seppa L. Fluoride varnishes in caries prevention. Proc Finn Dent Soc 1982;78 Suppl 8:1-50.
43. Seppa L. Studies of fluoride varnishes in Finland. Proc Finn Dent Soc 1991;87:541- 547.
44. Yanover L. Fluoride varnishes as cariostatic agents: A review. J Can Dent Assoc 1982;48:401-404.
45. Primosch RE. A report on the efficacy of fluoridated varnishes in dental caries prevention. Clin Prev Dent 1985;7:12-22.
46. de Bruyn H, Arends J. Fluoride varnishes— A review. J Biol Buccale 1987;15:71-82.
47. Petersson LG. Fluoride mouthrinses and fluoride varnishes. Caries Res 1993;27 Suppl 1:35-42.
48. Strohmenger L, Brambilla E. The use of fluoride varnishes in the prevention of dental caries: A short review. Oral Dis 2001;7:71-80.
49. Helfenstein U, Steiner M. Fluoride varnishes (Duraphat): A meta-analysis. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1994;22:1-5.
50. Helfenstein U, Steiner M. A note concerning the caries preventive effect of Duraphat. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1994; 22:6-7.
51. Chu CH. Effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride and sodium fluoride varnish in arresting dentine caries [Ph.D thesis]. University of Hong Kong;2004.
52. Seppa L, Tolonen T. Caries preventive effect of fluoride varnish applications performed two or four times a year. Scand J Dent Res 1990;98:102-105.
53. Ripa LW. A critique of topical fluoride methods (dentifrices, mouthrinses, operator-, and self-applied gels) in an era of decreased caries and increased fluorosis prevalence. J Public Health Dent 1991;51:23-41.
54. Newbrun E. Current treatment modalities of oral problems of patients with Sjogren’s syndrome: Caries prevention. Adv Dent Res 1996;10:29-34.
55. Akshayaa, L., Vignesh Ravindran, and M. Madhulaxmi. 2021. “Choice Of Tricalcium Silicate Cements Among Children For Pulp Capping-A Retrospective Study.” Int J Dentistry Oral Sci 8 (9): 4527–30.
56. Baskran, Rinieshah Nair R., B. Nivethigaa, and S. Balaji Ganesh. 2021. “The Prevalence and Gender Distribution of Midline Diastema among Patients Attending A Private Dental College-An Original Study.” Int J Dentistry Oral Sci 8 (8): 4124–27.
57. Bramhecha, Astha, and Raghu Sandhya. 2021. “Analysis of Marginal Gap between Dentin and Biodentine on Irrigation with 3% Sodium Hypochlorite-An In Vitro Study.” Int J Den-Tistry Oral Sci 8 (8): 3766–69.
58. ganapathy, Dhanraj, And Others. 2022. “Awareness On Chelating Agents Used In Rct Among Dental Students.” International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education 14 (3). https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=13085581&AN=162720711&h=2XOMGqR%2BzisGdfskW0DzmX7l23h62iwgWtnF0eJj4%2FUMPHy0COAteZUzysomThZJ9gtUJc9eEEiSKMKn0nKWYQ%3D%3D&crl=c.
59. Mohanty, S., and S. Ramesh. 2020. “Comparing Quality and Quantity of Dentin Bridge Formed Using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, Biodentine, and Propolis: A Double-Blinded Randomized ….” World Journal of Dentistry. https://www.wjoud.com/doi/WJOUD/pdf/10.505/jp-journals-10015-1762.
2. Newbrun E. Evolution of professionally applied topical fluoride therapies. Compend Contin Educ Dent 1999;20 (Suppl 1):5-9.
3. Heuser H, Schmidt HF. Dental caries prophylaxis by deep impregnation of the dental enamel with fluorine lac [article in German]. Stoma (Heidelb) 1968;21:91-100.
4. Seppa L. Efficacy and safety of fluoride varnishes. Compend Contin Educ Dent 1999;20:18-26.
5. Zimmer S, Robke FJ, Roulet JF. Caries prevention with fluoride varnish in a socially deprived community. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1999;27:103-108.
6. Peyearon M, Matsson L, Birkhed D. Progression of approximal caries in primary molars and the effect of Duraphat treatment. Scand J Dent Res 1992;100:314- 318.
7. Holm GB, Holst K, Mejare I. The cariespreventive effect of a fluoride varnish in the fissures of the first permanent molar. Acta Odontol Scand 1984;42:193-197.
8. Klimek J, Prinz H, Hellwig E, Ahrens G. Effect of a preventive program based on professional toothcleaning and fluoride application on caries and gingivitis. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1985;13:295- 298.
9. Maiwald HJ, Kunzel W, Weatherell J. The use of a fluoride varnish in caries prevention. J Int Assoc Dent Child 1978;9:31-35.
10. Wegner H. The clinical effect of application of fluoride varnish. Caries Res 1976; 10:318-320.
11. Retief DH, Bradley EL, Holbrook M, Switzer P. Enamel fluoride uptake, distribution and retention from topical fluoride agents. Caries Res 1983;17:44-51.
12. Milgrom P, Rothen M, Spadafora A, Skaret E. A case report: Arresting dental caries. J Dent Hyg 2001;75:241-243.
13. Fontana M, Gonzalez Cabezas C. Topical application of stannous fluoride inside of cavity preparations: A review of the literature. J Indiana Dent Assoc 1995;74:22-24.
14. Shen C, Autio-Gold J. Assessing fluoride concentration uniformity and fluoride release from three varnishes. J Am Dent Assoc 2002;133:176-182.
15. Attin T, Hartmann O, Hilgers RD, Hellwig E. Fluoride retention of incipient enamel lesions after treatment with a calcium fluoride varnish in vivo. Arch Oral Biol 1995;40:169-174.
16. Haugejorden O, Nord A. Caries incidence after topical application of varnishes containing different concentrations of sodium fluoride: 3-year results. Scand J Dent Res 1991;99:295-300.
17. Acuna V, von Beetzen M, Caracatsanis M, Sundstrom F. In vitro fluoride uptake by enamel and dentin. A comparative study of two varnishes. Acta Odontol Scand 1990;48:89-92.
18. Donly KJ. Fluoride varnishes. J Calif Dent Assoc 2003;31:217-219.
19. Chu CH, Lo EC, Lin HC. Effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride and sodium fluoride varnish in arresting dentin caries in Chinese pre-school children. J Dent Res 2002;81:767-770.
20. Arnbjerg D. Use of professionally administered fluoride among Danish children. Acta Odontol Scand 1992;50:289-293.
21. Ogard B, Seppa L, Rolla G. Professional topical fluoride applications—Clinical efficacy and mechanism of action. Adv Dent Res 1994;8:190-201.
22. Modeer T, Twetman S, Bergstrand F. Three-year study of the effect of fluoride varnish (Duraphat) on proximal caries progression in teenagers. Scand J Dent Res 1984;92:400-407.
23. Seppa L, Pollanen L, Hausen H. Caries preventive effect of fluoride varnish with different fluoride concentrations. Caries Res 1994;28:64-67.
24. Lindquist B, Edward S, Torell P, Krasse B. Effect of different carriers preventive measures in children highly infected with mutans streptococci. Scand J Dent Res 1989;97:330-337.
25. Pienihakkinen K, Jokela J. Clinical outcomes of risk-based caries prevention in preschool-aged children. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2002;30:143-150.
26. Ogaard B. The cariostatic mechanism of fluoride. Compend Contin Educ Dent 1999;20 (1 Suppl):10-17.
27. Blinkhorn A, Davis R. Using fluoride varnish in the practice. Br Dent J 1998;185: 280-281.
28. Seppa L. Effect of dental plaque on fluoride uptake by enamel from a sodium fluoride varnish in vivo. Caries Res 1983;17 71-75.
29. Warren DP, Henson HA, Chan JT. Dental hygienist and patient comparisons of fluoride varnishes to fluoride gels. J Dent Hyg 2000;74:94-101.
30. Bawden JW. Fluoride varnish: A useful new tool for public health dentistry. J Public Health Dent 1998;58:266-269.
31. Bader JD, Shugars DA, Bonito AJ. Systematic reviews of selected dental caries diagnostic and management methods. J Dent Educ 2001;65:960-968.
32. Petersson LG, Twetman S. Dahlgren H, Norlund A, Holm AK, Nordenram G, Lagerlof F, Soder B, Kallestal C, Mejare I, Axelsson S, Lingstrom P. Professional fluoride varnish treatment for caries control: A systematic review of clinical trials. Acta Odontol Scand 2004;62:170-176.
33. Shulman JD, Wells LM. Acute fluoride toxicity from ingesting home-use dental products in children, birth to 6 years of age. J Public Health Dent 1998;57:150-158.
34. Roberts JF, Longhurst P. A clinical estimation of the fluoride used during application of a fluoride varnish. Br Dent J 1987;162:463-466.
35. Ekstrand J, Koch G, Petersson LG. Plasma fluoride concentration and urinary fluoride excretion in children following application of the fluoride-containing varnish Duraphat. Caries Res 1980;14:185-189.
36. Ekstrand J, Koch G, Lindgren LE, Petersson LG. Pharmacokinetics of fluoride gels in children and adults. Caries Res 1981;15: 213-220.
37. Ekstrand J, Koch G, Petersson LG. Plasma fluoride concentrations in pre-school children after ingestion of fluoride tablets and toothpaste. Caries Res 1983;17:379- 384
38. Isaksson M, Bruze M, Bjorkner B, Niklasson B. Contact allergy to Duraphat. Scand J Dent Res 1993;101:49-51.
39. Beltran-Aguilar ED, Goldstein JW, Lockwood SA. Fluoride varnishes. A review of their clinical use, cariostatic mechanism, efficacy and safety. J Am Dent Assoc 2000;131:589-596.
40. Duraphat [package insert]. Canton, MA: Colgate-Palmolive;2003.
41. Clark DC. A review on fluoride varnishes: An alternative topical fluoride treatment. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1982; 10:117-123.
42. Seppa L. Fluoride varnishes in caries prevention. Proc Finn Dent Soc 1982;78 Suppl 8:1-50.
43. Seppa L. Studies of fluoride varnishes in Finland. Proc Finn Dent Soc 1991;87:541- 547.
44. Yanover L. Fluoride varnishes as cariostatic agents: A review. J Can Dent Assoc 1982;48:401-404.
45. Primosch RE. A report on the efficacy of fluoridated varnishes in dental caries prevention. Clin Prev Dent 1985;7:12-22.
46. de Bruyn H, Arends J. Fluoride varnishes— A review. J Biol Buccale 1987;15:71-82.
47. Petersson LG. Fluoride mouthrinses and fluoride varnishes. Caries Res 1993;27 Suppl 1:35-42.
48. Strohmenger L, Brambilla E. The use of fluoride varnishes in the prevention of dental caries: A short review. Oral Dis 2001;7:71-80.
49. Helfenstein U, Steiner M. Fluoride varnishes (Duraphat): A meta-analysis. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1994;22:1-5.
50. Helfenstein U, Steiner M. A note concerning the caries preventive effect of Duraphat. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1994; 22:6-7.
51. Chu CH. Effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride and sodium fluoride varnish in arresting dentine caries [Ph.D thesis]. University of Hong Kong;2004.
52. Seppa L, Tolonen T. Caries preventive effect of fluoride varnish applications performed two or four times a year. Scand J Dent Res 1990;98:102-105.
53. Ripa LW. A critique of topical fluoride methods (dentifrices, mouthrinses, operator-, and self-applied gels) in an era of decreased caries and increased fluorosis prevalence. J Public Health Dent 1991;51:23-41.
54. Newbrun E. Current treatment modalities of oral problems of patients with Sjogren’s syndrome: Caries prevention. Adv Dent Res 1996;10:29-34.
55. Akshayaa, L., Vignesh Ravindran, and M. Madhulaxmi. 2021. “Choice Of Tricalcium Silicate Cements Among Children For Pulp Capping-A Retrospective Study.” Int J Dentistry Oral Sci 8 (9): 4527–30.
56. Baskran, Rinieshah Nair R., B. Nivethigaa, and S. Balaji Ganesh. 2021. “The Prevalence and Gender Distribution of Midline Diastema among Patients Attending A Private Dental College-An Original Study.” Int J Dentistry Oral Sci 8 (8): 4124–27.
57. Bramhecha, Astha, and Raghu Sandhya. 2021. “Analysis of Marginal Gap between Dentin and Biodentine on Irrigation with 3% Sodium Hypochlorite-An In Vitro Study.” Int J Den-Tistry Oral Sci 8 (8): 3766–69.
58. ganapathy, Dhanraj, And Others. 2022. “Awareness On Chelating Agents Used In Rct Among Dental Students.” International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education 14 (3). https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=13085581&AN=162720711&h=2XOMGqR%2BzisGdfskW0DzmX7l23h62iwgWtnF0eJj4%2FUMPHy0COAteZUzysomThZJ9gtUJc9eEEiSKMKn0nKWYQ%3D%3D&crl=c.
59. Mohanty, S., and S. Ramesh. 2020. “Comparing Quality and Quantity of Dentin Bridge Formed Using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, Biodentine, and Propolis: A Double-Blinded Randomized ….” World Journal of Dentistry. https://www.wjoud.com/doi/WJOUD/pdf/10.505/jp-journals-10015-1762.
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Published
May 13, 2023
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How to Cite
V.Ranjith Akshay Seshadri, & Mahesh Ramakrishnan. (2023). Fluoride Varnish – A Review. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 30(10), 69–74. https://doi.org/10.47750/jptcp.2023.30.10.011
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