Caries-Inhibiting Effects of Different Modes of Duraphat Varnish Reapplication: A 3-Year Radiographic Study

Abstract

One hundred and sixty 11-year-olds were randomly allocated to two experimental groups, one tes (group 1) and one control group (group 2), for a 3-year clinical test comparing different modes of fluoride varnish treatment. In the test group, children received Duraphat varnish treatments 3 times a week, once a year The children in group 2 were treated with Duraphat every 6 months. During the experimental period, children in group 1 received 9 fluoride varnish applications, and in group 2, 6 applications. Four bitewing radiographs were taken in each child each year for the measurements of the incidence and progression of proximal caries Repeated fluoride varnish treatment with Duraphat, 3 times a week once a year, appears to inhibit proximal caries progression and development since the children in this group showed even a lower caries status, 1.3 ± 0.3 DS, at the end of the study compared to 1.6 ± 0.2 DS at the outset. In group 2, the children increased their caries status from 1.7 ± 0.2 to 2.4 ± 0.4 DS during the experimental period. The caries difference was statistically significant (p