Fluoride Action Network

Abstract

The clinical manifestation of fluorosis has become rare over the past years. Although the use of fluoride medication in osteoporosis therapy remains controversial, past study results have led to a reduction in fluoride prescriptions. Several studies have shown minor biomechanical properties of newly built woven bone compared to original bone. Despite new prescription protocols, fluoride therapy should not be disregarded in the anamnesis of osteoporosis patients. In addition to conventional diagnostics in fluorosis, new techniques such as microanalysis and micro-CT-analysis show a diagnostic benefit. In this case, the edx-microanalysis results show an F concentration of over 1.0 wt% in bone. The ratio of bone to tissue volume, evaluated by micro-CT, is clearly elevated at 46% BV/TV. The histopathological preparation of the femoral head has made the possible effects of fluoride medication on bone visible and quantifiable. A direct causal relationship between coxarthrosis and fluoride medication, found both in our patient as well as in the literature, has not been demonstrated. In order to better understand the broad effects of fluoride medication in combination with coxarthrosis more studies are needed.