Topical fluoride application and salivary fluoride concentration
Mickenautsch S*, Yengopal V*, Bonecker M**, Oliveira LB***
*Division of Public Oral Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
**Department of Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil
***São Leopoldo Mandic Research Center, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Abstract
Fluoride concentration of saliva significantly increases after topical fluoride application.
This abstract is prepared and maintained by Midentistry, currently published in The MI Compendium, 3rd edition, Copyright © 2009 Midentistry. The full data of this review is available in http://www.midentistry.com/secure-folder/content/3/mic12E1.asp (ISBN: 0-620-34080-0)
This record should be cited as: Mickenautsch S, Yengopal V, Bonecker M, Oliveira LB. Topical fluoride application and salivary fluoride concentration. Minim Interv Comp Database Syst Rev 2008; 1: RV02720080909.
This version first published online: September 30, 2008
Last revised: September 30, 2008
Objectives
To assess whether the fluoride concentration of saliva is influenced by topical fluoride application.
Search strategy
The trials were identified from a search of the PubMed database on: September 9, 2008 using the terms: "Fluorides, Topical"[Mesh] AND salivary fluoride and a search of the LILACS database on: September 23, 2008 using the terms: "Flúor AND saliva".
Inclusion criteria
All 2-arm in-vivo or in-situ randomized/quasi-randomized control trials on human tissue with relevance to review question including computable data; published in English or Portuguese.
Data collection and analysis
No trial was found comparing the effect of topical fluoride application against placebo application as control. The literature search could only identify 4 trials with longitudinal data. Therefore available longitudinal data was analyzed instead, with baseline data (= salivary fluoride concentration directly before topical fluoride application) as control.
Main results
The global results of this data shows that the fluoride concentration of saliva significantly increases (p<0.00001) after topical fluoride applications. Most effective seem to be phosphate fluoride gels.
Authors' conclusions
The available evidence shows that the fluoride concentration of saliva significantly increases after topical fluoride application. However, the nature of the longitudinal data suggest a low internal validity/high danger of bias. Randomized control trials or observational studies using placebo application as control would assure higher internal validity.
