Topical fluorides are applied directly to tooth surfaces to promote remineralization. There are two main types - professionally applied and self-applied. Professionally applied includes aqueous solutions, gels, foams, and varnishes dispensed during dental visits. Common professionally applied compounds are 2% neutral sodium fluoride, 8% stannous fluoride, and 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride. Self-applied products include fluoridated dentifrices, mouthwashes and gels that are purchased for home use as recommended by dental professionals to help prevent tooth decay.

1. ESSENTIALS OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY
[COMMUNITY DENTISTRY]:SOBEN PETER
TOPICAL FLUORIDES
Guidedby: Submitted by:
Dr. AMIT TIRTH SIR YASMEEN FARHEEN
MDS CHOUDHARY
Roll no- 92
BDS 4th YEAR

2. TOPICAL FLUORIDES
By definition “topically applied fluorides”
is used to describe those delivery systems
which provide fluoride for a local chemical
reaction to exposed surfaces of the erupted
dentition.

3. Types of topical fluoride products
:
Professionally applied products- These products
are those medicaments typically dispensed by
dental professionals in the dental office.
Self applied products- These products are usually
bought and dispensed by the individual patient but
at the recommendations of a dental personnel.

4. Professionally applied topical
fluorides
FLUORIDE VEHICLES
 Aqueous solutions and gels –These adheres to teeth
for a considerable amount of time and eliminates the
continuous wetting of enamel surfaces required when
solutions are used.
 Fluoridated prophylactic pastes – These pastes
containing fluoride are used, the lost fluoride is replenished
and there is a small , but significant net gain in the
concentration of fluoride.

5.  Foam – These agents were developed in an attempt
to minimize the risk of fluoride over dosage as well as to
maintain the efficacy of topical fluoride treatment.
 Fluoride varnish- First developed in EUROPE
(1964).
Increase the time, the fluoride is in contact with the
tooth.
Commonly used fluoride varnishes are-
DURAPHAT
FLUORPROTECTOR
CAREX

6. PROFESSIONALLY APPLIED TOPICAL
FLUORIDE COMPOUNDS
NEUTRAL SODIUM FLUORIDE 2%
 First fluoride compound to be used.
 METHOD OF PREPARATION- Dissolving 20 grams of sodium fluoride
powder in one litre of distilled water in a plastic bottle.
 METHOD OF APPLICATION (KNUTSONS TECHNIQUE)- The
teeth are first cleaned with aqueous pumice slurry and then isolated with
cotton rolls. Using cotton tipped applicator sticks, the 2% sodium fluoride
solution is painted on the air dried teeth. The procedure is repeated for
each of the isolated segments until all of the teeth are treated.
4 visit procedure is recommended for ages 3,7,11 and 13.

7. STANNOUS FLUORIDE 8%
METHOD OF PREPARATION – A fresh solution is to be prepared.
0.8 grams ( “0” No. gelation capsule ) is dissolved in 10ml of
distilled water in a plastic container.
METHOD OF APPLICATION- Each tooth surface is cleaned with
pumice or other dental cleaning agent for 5 to 10 seconds.
Unwaxed dental floss is passed between the interproximal areas.
Teeth are isolated and dried with air.
Solution is applied and kept for 4 minutes.
Repeat applications for every 6 months.

8. ACIDULATED PHOSPHATE FLUORIDE
1.23%
 Also called BRUDEVOLD SOLUTION.
 METHOD OF PREPARATION- 20grams of sodium fluoride in 1 litre of 0.1M
phosphoric acid and to this is added 50%hydrofluoric acid to adjust the pH at
3.0 and fluoride ion concentration 1.23%.
 METHOD OF APPLICATION– Patient should sit upright in the chair.
Oral prophylaxis is done.
Teeth to be treated is completely isolated and thoroughly dried with air.
Clinical application of APF gels should be done using trays.
Reapplied every 15-20 seconds so as to keep the teeth moist with the
fluoride solution throughout the 4-minute period.

9. SELF APPLIED TOPICAL FLUORIDES
DENTIFRICES – Play a more significant caries prevention role since
it requires active participation by the patient to have any effect.
Fluoride compounds in dentifrices-
SODIUM FLUORIDE DENTRIFICES
STANNOUS FLUORIDE DENTRIFICES
MONOFLUOROPHOSPHATE
AMINE FLUORIDE DENTIFRICE
FLUORIDE MOUTHWASHES
FLUORIDE GELS