Biomaterial Database

Fluoride varnishes. A review of their clinical use, cariostatic mechanism, efficacy and safety. 2000

E D Beltrán-Aguilar, and J W Goldstein, and S A Lockwood

Surveillance, Investigations and Research Branch, Division of Oral Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC-DOH, Chamblee, Ga. 30341, USA.

BACKGROUND This is a review of the clinical use, cariostatic mechanism, efficacy, safety and toxicity of fluoride varnishes. METHODS The authors reviewed and summarized in vitro, in vivo and in situ studies; clinical trials; demonstration programs; position papers; and editorials published in English in the biomedical literature since 1966. RESULTS Extensive laboratory research and clinical trials conducted in Europe and elsewhere show that fluoride varnishes are as efficacious as other caries-preventive agents. Fluoride varnishes are widely used in European caries-preventive programs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared these products only as medical devices to be used as cavity liners and for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth. These products have not yet been cleared for marketing in the United States as caries-preventive agents. CONCLUSIONS Three fluoride varnishes are currently available in the United States. Semiannual applications are the most proven treatment regimen. Varnishes are safe and easy to apply and set in contact with intraoral moisture.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002327	Cariostatic Agents	Substances that inhibit or arrest DENTAL CARIES formation. (Boucher's Clinical Dental Terminology, 4th ed)	Cariostatic Effect,Cariostatic Effects,Agent, Cariostatic,Agents, Cariostatic,Cariostatic Agent,Effect, Cariostatic,Effects, Cariostatic
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
D003736	Dental Cavity Lining	An inner coating, as of varnish or other protective substance, to cover the dental cavity wall. It is usually a resinous film-forming agent dissolved in a volatile solvent, or a suspension of calcium hydroxide in a solution of a synthetic resin. The lining seals the dentinal tubules and protects the pulp before a restoration is inserted. (Jablonski, Illustrated Dictionary of Dentistry, 1982)	Varnish, Cavity,Cavity Liner, Dental,Cavity Lining Varnish,Cavity Lining Varnishes,Cavity Lining, Dental,Cavity Linings, Dental,Cavity Varnishes,Dental Cavity Liner,Dental Cavity Liners,Dental Cavity Linings,Liners, Dental Cavity,Lining, Dental Cavity,Linings, Dental Cavity,Cavity Liners, Dental,Cavity Varnish,Liner, Dental Cavity,Varnish, Cavity Lining,Varnishes, Cavity,Varnishes, Cavity Lining
D005460	Fluorides, Topical	Fluorides, usually in pastes or gels, used for topical application to reduce the incidence of DENTAL CARIES.	Fluoride Varnishes,Topical Fluorides,Varnishes, Fluoride
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012449	Safety	Freedom from exposure to danger and protection from the occurrence or risk of injury or loss. It suggests optimal precautions in the workplace, on the street, in the home, etc., and includes personal safety as well as the safety of property.	Safeties
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.