Abstract

FILHO, C.F.  and  LIMA, K.C.. Efectiveness of the use of topical fluoride and of toothbrushing in the control of caries produced "in vivo": Systematic review. Av Odontoestomatol [online]. 2008, vol.24, n.4, pp.277-288. ISSN 2340-3152.

The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of toothbrushing and of fluoride ion in toothpaste and in mouthrinse in deactivating white enamel lesions produced "in vivo". Articles from periodicals indexed in Medline, Lilacs and BBO and published between 1966 and 2006 were considered, without any language restriction. The inclusion criteria were clinical studies where white enamel lesions were developed, using specially designed orthodontic bands to create a "cariogenic environment" on the buccal surfaces of healthy enamel "in vivo". These studies were classified as case studies, case series or randomized controlled trials. The articles were located using the search strategy developed for MEDLINE, but properly reviewed for each database. The results evaluated were: The presence or absence of white enamel lesions, difference in size and severity of white spot lesions between control teeth and those submitted to diverse treatments, quantitative and qualitative assessment of enamel mineral loss using direct or indirect techniques. Four studies were selected, but they did not satisfy all the methodological criteria. Toothbrushing with nonfluoride toothpaste reduced the severity and depth of white enamel lesions. The use of topical fluoride with low pH (0.6% - ph1.9) and daily mouthrinsing with a 0.2% NaF solution significantly delayed the development and progress of white enamel lesions (p<0.05) in populations supplied with fluoridated water or not. Different topical formulations seem to decrease enamel demineralization, but none seems to stand out. It was concluded that there is no evidence of the effectiveness of any of the methods tested in deactivating white enamel lesions produced "in vivo".

Keywords : Enamel; dentifrice; toothbrushing; mouthrinsing; fluoride; white spots lesions.

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