Prevention of Enamel Decalcification Using Fluoride Varnish
Hee Ja Na1, Moon Sil Choi2
1Department of Dental Hygiene, Honam University, 2Department of Dental Hygiene, Songwon University, Gwangju, Korea
Received October 25, 2024; Accepted December 10, 2024.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
- Abstract
- Objective: Recent years have seen an increase in enamel decalcification among orthodontic patients andadolescents due to increased consumption of carbonated beverages and poor oral hygiene practices. If leftuntreated, this enamel decalcification can progress to dental caries, potentially causing serious oral healthproblems. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a fluoride varnish containing milk components,developed in Japan, in preventing enamel decalcification.
Methods: Twenty specimens, each measuring -1×1cm- were prepared from bovine anterior teeth that werecaries-free and had sound enamel surfaces. These specimens were randomly assigned to either a controlgroup or an experimental group, with 10 specimens in each group. The control group received notreatment, while the experimental group was treated with a Japanese fluoride varnish containing 900 ppm fluoride and milk components, applied according to the manufacturerʼs instructions. All specimens werestored in artificial saliva and evaluated at intervals of one, two, and three weeks.
Results: The control group showed results of 24.3±1.4 (p<0.044) at week 1, 37.3±2.6 (p<0.001) at week 2,and 41.5±1.8 (p>0.009) at week 3. The experimental group demonstrated results of 25.6±2.5 (p<0.044) atweek 1, 39.4±1.2 (p<0.001) at week 2, and 44.6±2.6 (p<0.009) at week 3. Both groups showed statisticallysignificant differences at weeks 1 and 2, with the experimental group exhibiting higher values.
Conclusion: This study confirmed that the application of fluoride varnish can effectively prevent enameldecalcification. In particular, fluoride varnish containing milk components remains on the tooth surface foran extended period, providing a sustained fluoride release effect that aids in enamel protection. Due to itsease of use and safety, this method is considered to have significant potential in preventing dental cariesamong orthodontic patients and adolescents. - Keywords : dental caries, enamel decalcification, fluoride varnish, milk protein, preventive dentistry
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