Dental fluorosis and localized enamel opacities in fluoride and nonfluoride Danish communities
Wenzel, A.; Thylstrup, A.
Caries Research 16(4): 340-348
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-6568 PMID: 6956450 DOI: 10.1159/000260618
Accession: 005106073
Assessment of dental fluorosis and localized enamel opacities was performed among children living in areas having < 0.2, 1.0 and 2.4 ppm F- in the drinking water. Evaluation of dental fluorosis was done by Dean's classification system and the clinicohistological system described by Thylstrup and Fejerskov in 1978. Fci was 0.02, 0.56 and 1.33, respectively, and the pattern of dental fluorosis within the dentition followed that previously described for high F- areas. The dental fluorosis score for the buccal surface of the 1st maxillary premolar was disclosed by statistical analysis to be representative for the dentition. Corroboration between Dean's and the clinicohistological scoring system occurred in 47% of cases. Localized enamel opacities were observed in 43, 37 and 33% of children of the 3 areas, respectively. An observed marked tendency towards decreasing proportions of localized enamel opacities in teeth with more pronounced dental fluorosis indicated that F--induced enamel porosities masked localized opacities. The clinicohistological classification system is the most appropriate method for describing an individual's exposure to F- during tooth formation.