This document discusses dental varnishes. It begins by defining dental varnishes as thin liquid coatings applied to teeth that harden into protective films. It notes they are usually water- or solvent-based for easy application. The document outlines the main requirements for varnishes and their purposes, including protecting teeth from decay by releasing fluoride or antimicrobials, whitening teeth, and desensitizing sensitive areas. It describes different types of varnishes and application techniques. Key varnishes discussed include fluoride varnishes like Duraphat and Carex as well as desensitizing and antimicrobial options. The document reviews advantages of fluoride varnishes and concludes by summarizing a clinical study on treating sensitivity

1. Muneeb Muhammed Ali
IV BDS

2. • A dental varnish is a coating liquid for teeth,
which is applied in thin layers and converted
to a consistent, solid film by chemical or
physical processes
Introduction:-
• In dentistry, only water- or solvent-based liquid
systems are used, as they enable simple, quick
and reliable application on the surfaces to be
treated.

3. Basic requirements:-
• It should be Homogeneous quality
• Release of active substances
• Patient comfort
• Easy, safe application
• Biocompatibility
• Good storage stability

4. The main tasks of dental varnishes are:-
1.Protection of the teeth from caries:-
To protect the teeth from caries through the release of
active substances – fluoride or antimicrobial
substances are used. Fluoride reduces the
demineralization of dental enamel and antimicrobial
substances combat cariogenic bacteria.
2.Enhancing the esthetics of the tooth shade
Varnishes that contain bleaching agents are applied to
remove discolorations or to whiten the teeth

5. 3.Desensitization of sensitive tooth necks
Desensitizing sensitive tooth necks can be achieved via
the creation of a mechanical block, i.e. a physical layer
covering exposed dentin tubule. This prevents or
minimizes any conduction of pain stimuli into the tubule
via effectively sealing them. A sustainable seal below the
tooth surface istherefore ideal.

6. Types:-
• Fluoride varnishes
• Antimicrobial varnishes
• Desensitizing varnishes
• Tooth whitening varnishes

7. • Physically cured varnishes
• Chemically cured varnishes
Based on Curing:-

8. Fluoride varnish
• Flouride Varnish was first developed in
europe by Schmidt in 1964
• Fluoride Varnish is a protective coating that is
painted on a teeth to prevent CAVITIES
• A fluoride varnish should provide protection
from demineralization or erosion

9. Indication:-
• For moderate-high caries risk patients
• As a primary preventive measure
• As a treatment for hypersensitive teeth
• To decrease post operative sensitivity
• Used as a cavity liner

10. 1.Duraphat
• First Fluoride varnish developed in Germany
• Yellow viscous material containing 22,600 ppm fluoride as
sodium fluoride in a neutral colophonium base (NaF
Contains 2.2%fluoride)
• Duraphat has shown caries reduction of between 30-40% in
permanent dentition and 7-44% in the primary dentition
2.Carex:-
Contains a lower fluoride concentration than Duraphat
(1.8% flouride) and has efficacy equivalent to that of
duraphat as a caries preventive agent
Types:-

11. 3.Fluorprotector
• Clear polyurethane based product containing 7000 ppm fluoride
(Silane flouride with 0.7%F in polyurethane base)
• It has a range of efficacy between 1% and 17% but its clinical
effectiveness is questionable
4.Duraflour:-
5% NaF in alcoholic suspension of natural resins

12. Techniques of Varnish Application
• Oral prophylaxis
• Teeth are dried,but not isolate with
cotton rolls
• A total of 0.3-0.5 ml of varnish
equivalent to 6.9-11.5 mg F is
required to cover full dentition
• Application is done using single
tufted small brush starting with
proximal surfaces

13. • After application patient is made
to sit with the mouth open for 4
minutes before spitting to let
Duraphet set on teeth
• Patient is asked not to rinse or
drink anything at all for one hour
and not to eat anything solid but
take liquids and semisolids only till
the next morning so that contact
between varnish and tooth surface
for about 18 hours maintained for
prolonged interaction between
fluoride and enamel

14. Advantages of fluoride varnish over
professionally used fluorides
• Easy to use and fast to apply
• Gels and foams require the use of suction , air drying the
teeth , trays that may trigger gag reflexes
• Safe and posses less risk of adverse reaction beacause only
small amount is used
• It does not require the use of dental equipment or
instruments

15. Disadvantages:-
• Yellowish discoloration of teeth gradually fades
• Undesirable taste in mouth after application

16. Recent Varnish “DURAFLOR HALO’’
One of the recent varnish that have been
introduced in the market
They have couple of advantage over other
varnish
1. No Discoloration (Esthetically pleasing)
2. No bad taste (Comes in flavours mint and
berry)
3. More acceptable by children thus fits with
any age

17. Antimicrobial varnishes
• An antimicrobial protective varnish can reduce the
bacteria and help shift the bacterial balance to a
healthier level
• By reducing the bacterial count, an antimicrobial
varnish can also minimize other problems caused by
bacteria, such as inflammation of the gingiva
• Chlorhexidine thymol varnish is commonly used
antimicrobial varnish.it has antimicrobial activity
against all gram positive and gram negative
microorganisms

18. Desensitizing varnishes
• Type of varnish indicated for the
treatment of dentinal sensitivity
• Contraindicated in ulcerative gingivitis
and stomatitis

19. Tooth whitening varnishes
• A tooth whitening varnish contains an
oxidant, usually a peroxide, which diffuses
into the tooth after the application of the
varnish
• Peroxide is unstable in the oral cavity. Their
decomposition produces oxygen, which
converts stains and discolouration into
colourless compounds
• the varnish contains no or very little of the
active substance, thus there is no added
benefit to the varnish remaining on the tooth,
and it should be easily removed

20. Clinical Studies:
Treatment of hypersensitive tooth necks
Title: Evaluation of a fluoride varnish for the treatment of dentine
hypersensitivity
Location: Lund University, Sweden
Time: 1990
Authors: B. Collaert, G. Söderholm, G. Bratthall, H. de Bruyn
The study included 15 patients, who had suffered from dentin
hypersensitivity for an average of more than 6.5 years. Sensitivity to blown
air or scratching on the tooth surface was determined at the beginning of the
study as well as after 1 and 4 weeks. Furthermore, the patients reported and
rated their sensitivity to temperature and tooth brushing. A placebo solution
was applied at baseline 0; at baseline 1 and after one week, Fluor Protector
was administered.

21. Results: In week 4, the sensitivity to all stimuli (blown
air, scratching, temperature) was significantly reduced
Eleven patients felt a clear reduction in symptoms after
treatment with Fluor Protector, such that they were no
longer affected by their hypersensitive teeth during
eating/drinking or tooth brushing. The remaining 4
patients still considered their hypersensitivity to be too
severe. These four patients all suffered from
hypersensitivity of all teeth
Fluor Protector reduces dentin hypersensitivity, even if
it has persisted for years

22. Bibliography:-
• Article on Dental Varnish Systems in Focus by Dr Thomas
Hirt Dr Thorsten Bock Carlo Bolis Dr Kathrin Fischer
(February 2016)
•
• Essentials of Preventive and Community Dentistry 4th
edition by Soben Peter
•
• Fluoride Varnish in the Prevention of Dental Caries in
Children and Adolescents:A Systematic Review By Amir
Azarpazhooh Patricia A. Main
•

23. THANK YOU