A Nine-Year Study of Topical Application with Stannous Fluoride in Identical Twins and the Caries Experience Five Years after Ending the Applications

Abstract

The teeth of one child of 22 monozygotic twins were treated twice yearly with a 1-percent F^–– (from SnF₂) solution over a period of 9 years. When the children were 16 years old, the result was that the treated children had 37% fewer lesions than the controls. For the proximal surfaces, the reduction was 55%; for the pits and fissures, 20%; and for the free smooth surfaces, 61%. Five years after the last application, 18 pairs were examined once more. In three pairs, the controls had received full dentures. In the remaining 15 pairs, the treated children had 37% fewer cavities in the proximal surfaces; 8% fewer in the pits and fissures; and 45% fewer in the free smooth surfaces.

Relationship between the Extent of the Initial Lesion and the Inhibitory Effect of APF on the Progression of Caries-Like Lesions in vitro

“…There is now considerable evidence to support the hypothesis that the presence of fluoride during lesion formation is essential to its caries inhibitory action [Lemke et al, 1970;Horowitz and Kau, 1974;Houwink et al, 1974;Joyston-Bechal and Kidd, 1980], The results of the present study confirm previous work [Joyston-Bechal and Kidd, 1980] showing that when initial lesions are treated with APF (1.23% F) and re-exposed to an artificial caries system, histological changes are produced indicative of reminer alisation within the lesion. In the present study specimens were also exposed to artifi cial saliva for 24 h following fluoride appli cations.…”

Histopathological Appearance of Artificially Produced Caries-Like Lesions of Enamel Treated with APF during Lesion Formation in vitro

“…These findings led the authors to suggest that increasing the fluoride content of sound enamel was not necessarily of prime importance in the pre vention of dental caries. On the other hand, the importance of the presence of fluoride during acid attack is emphasized by the re sults of studies showing that the caries re ducing effect on erupted teeth of both water fluoridation and topical fluorides decreased when these measures are discontinued [Lenike et al, 1970;Houwink et al, 1974;Horowitz, and Kau, 1974], It would seem therefore that considerable evidence is now available to support the hypothesis that the presence of fluoride during lesion formation is of paramount importance as far as its car ies inhibitory action is concerned.…”

Cariostatic Mechanisms of Fluorides: Clinical Observations

“…Tin and lead are exam ples of ions with a strong solubility-reducing effect on the enamel in vitro which, howev er, does not seem to lead to any appreciable caries reduction in animal or clinical experi ments with the possible exception of some SnF2 applications. Regarding stannous fluo ride, a 33-43% caries reduction was achieved in a fluoridated community by dai ly mouthrinsing for 2 years [Radike et al, 1973], Houwink et al [1974] found a caries reduction by treatment twice a year with a 4% SnF, solution for 9 years. Caries reduc tions of about 25% were obtained in 2-to 3-year studies with SnF2 dentifrices [Slack et al, 1971, Fanning et al, 1968Zacherl, 1972].…”