Three-year study of the effect of fluoride varnish (Duraphat) on proximal caries progression in teenagers

Abstract

The effect of sodium fluoride varnish (Duraphat) applications on proximal caries progression was studied during a 3-yr period in 87 teenagers and compared to a control group (n = 107). In the fluoride varnish group the children were treated with fluoride varnish every third month during the experimental period. Caries lesions on the mesial surfaces of first premolars to the mesial surfaces of second molars were recorded annually on radiographs and an individual progression value was calculated. The study showed that topical application of fluoride varnish every third month significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced the progression of proximal caries lesions in premolars and molars. The most obvious reduction of caries progression was observed among children who developed between two and eight new proximal lesions during the test period. In the children with the highest caries activity (greater than nine new proximal lesions) Duraphat treatments did not significantly reduce proximal caries progression in premolars and molars.