Caries increment in primary teeth after application of Duraphat® fluoride varnish

Abstract

In order to evaluate the possible cariostatic effect of a fluoride varnish in the primary dentition, Duraphat varnish was applied twice yearly for 2 yr to the teeth of 195 children (3.5-yr-old) of both sexes attending 9 preparatory schools in the Warsaw, Poland area. A control group of 127 children attending 9 other preparatory schools was also examined. For each child a dmfs1 [decayed, missing filled surfaces 1] index (including caries without macroscopic defect) and a dmfs2 index (caries without macroscopic defect excluded) were determined as well as a dmft1 [decayed, missing or filled teeth 1] and a dmft2 index. After 2 yr, the difference between the test and the control groups regarding the mean dmfs1 and dmft2 index increments was 9.39% (P > 0.1) and 24.09% (P < 0.05), respectively. No significant differences were found, however, concerning the dmft2 and dmfs2 indices, the percentage children with new gingival caries, the number of teeth extracted on account of caries and the number of remaining teeth. A test group of 46 children treated with fluoride varnish in which a complete radiological examination could be carried out before and after the experimental period and which was treated with fluoride varnish was compared with a similar group of 27 children, which was not treated with fluoride varnish. The differences in caries increment were small, < 15% and were not significant. Taking into consideration the great variation between the schools, it was concluded that the cariostatic effect of Duraphat application twice yearly in the primary dentition of these children was slight.