Progression of Artificial Caries in Fluorotic and Nonfluorotic Enamel. An in vitro Study

Background and objectives: Fluorosis is an important clinical and public health problem in several parts of the world. Although the relationship of fluoride level in drinking water to dental caries and dental fluorosis is known, relationship of fluorosis with the caries is not clear. This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the thickness of enamel and depth of lesion after inducing artificial caries in fluorotic and nonfluorotic teeth. Methods: Study group included 15 fluorosis affected and 15 normal teeth. Artificial caries was induced and teeth were sectioned to 150 microns and observed under polarized light microscope to measure the enamel thickness and depth of lesion in microns. Results: Statistical analyses of the measurements were made using student's unpaired t-test. Thickness of the enamel of nonfluorotic teeth was found to be significantly more when compared with the fluorotic teeth(p-value 0.0404) and depth of lesion was significantly more in fluorotic teeth when compared with the nonfluorotic teeth(p-value 0.0218). Conclusion:Although fluoride is acknowledged as an essential factor in the prevention of dental caries there has to be careful balance in the amount consumed to ensure that fluorosis does not occur.

Dental fluorosis, Caries prevalence, Hypoplasia, DMFT Scores

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