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Review
. 2023 Dec 21;15(12):e50884.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.50884. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Role of Fluoride in Dentistry: A Narrative Review

Nikhil Mankar  1 , Saloni Kumbhare  1 , Pradnya Nikhade  1 , Joyeeta Mahapatra  1 , Paridhi Agrawal  1
Affiliations
Review

Role of Fluoride in Dentistry: A Narrative Review

Nikhil Mankar et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Fluoride has performed a central role in the growth over the last fifty years. This report examines the present state of knowledge about fluoride's involvement in preventing dental caries. In recent years, our knowledge of the development of dental caries and the manner of operation of fluoride has been shifted. Dental caries is a constant procedure for enamel demineralization and remineralization, and fluoride plays an important part in this action by acting at the plaque-enamel contact. Fluoride's major method of action is now recognized as posteruptive. Fluoride's post-eruptive activity has led to the development of novel fluoride delivery systems. The importance of various fluoride delivery techniques on a population and societal level is discussed, along with suggestions.

Keywords: caries; composite resin; fluoride; fluorosis; narrative review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flowchart showing the mechanism of action of fluoride
Figure 2
Figure 2. Structure of hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite
Figure 3
Figure 3. List of fluoride-containing dental materials
Figure 4
Figure 4. Various fluorosis index
Figure 5
Figure 5. Dean's fluorosis index
Figure 6
Figure 6. Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index
TFI- Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index
Figure 7
Figure 7. Total tooth surface index
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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