Journal of Dental Research, Vol 64, 1076-1079, Copyright © 1985 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Prevalence of dental fluorosis after fluoride-gel treatments in a low-fluoride area
M. J. Larsen, E. Kirkegard, O. Fejerskov and S. Poulsen
The goal of the present investigation was to study whether periodic use of
fluoride-gel treatments resulted in an increased prevalence of dental
fluorosis. 269 children, from 14 to 16 years of age, who had received
semi-annual or quarterly fluoride-gel treatments were examined for possible
fluoride-induced enamel changes. Further, in order to determine the amount
of fluoride retained during the gel treatment, the expectorate was analyzed
in 18 younger children presently participating in the prophylaxis program.
It was found that the retention of fluoride averaged 7.3 mg per treatment
(up to 0.5 mg fluoride per kg body weight). An increased prevalence of
dental fluorosis was not observed, even after up to five yearly treatments
were given during tooth formation periods. The background prevalence of
dental fluorosis in a low-fluoride area in Denmark is described.
