Inhibition of experimental dental caries using an intraoral fluoride-releasing device.

An intraoral fluoride releasing device designed to provide continual topical fluoride therapy for the prevention of dental caries was found to be effective in inhibiting caries in the rat model. Animals fitted with an intraoral device that released approximately 0.15 mg of fluoride per day developed 63% fewer carious enamel areas than animals receiving no treatment. Fluoridated drinking water (10 ppm) produced a 25% reduction in carious enamel areas. The fluoride-releasing device was more effective than ad libitum fluoridated drinking water in inhibiting caries on the approximal and sulcal surfaces. These results agree with the hypothesis that the continual presence of fluoride in oral fluids enhances the cariostatic effect of fluoride and, when combined with the results of earlier primate and human trials of the intraoral fluoride-releasing device, suggest that this fluoride delivery system can be developed into an effective anticaries agent.