Abstract

The prevalence of fluorosis has increased over the past fifty years, and with this increase, esthetic concerns pertaining to fluorosis should also be taken into consideration. Canadian, Australian, and British studies have explored perceptions concerning enamel fluorosis, but no studies in this area have been published from the United States. In the previous studies, esthetic concerns resulting from fluorosis generally were not compared with the esthetic perceptions of other conditions such as isolated opacities, tetracycline staining, or various types of malocclusion. In the present investigation, respondents answered written questions about paired photographs, one of fluorotic teeth and the other with one of the other conditions. Results show that not only is fluorosis noticeable, but it may be more of an esthetic concern than the other conditions.

• Related Studies :

  • Adolescents' perceptions of the aesthetic impact of dental fluorosis vs. other dental conditions in areas with and without water fluoridation

    BACKGROUND: The use of fluorides for caries prevention is well established but is linked with an increased risk of dental fluorosis, some of which may be considered to be aesthetically objectionable. Patient opinion should be considered when determining impact on aesthetics. The aim of this study was to assess participant

  • Characteristics attributed to individuals with dental fluorosis

    BACKGROUND: Previous investigations of the public perception of dental fluorosis have focused mainly on aesthetics. Other characteristics which could potentially be ascribed to fluorosis, such as perceived personality traits, have not been examined. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify personal characteristics (descriptors) attributed to people with fluorosis of varying degrees

  • Factors associated with parents' esthetic perceptions of children's mixed dentition fluorosis and demarcated opacities

    PURPOSE: With the increasing prevalence of dental fluorosis, improved understanding about esthetic perceptions of dental fluorosis is warranted. The purpose of this report was to present results concerning parents' overall satisfaction with the appearance of their children's teeth and factors related to dissatisfaction, comparing subjects with and without fluorosis and

  • Dental fluorosis, dental caries, and quality of life factors among schoolchildren in a Colombian fluorotic area

    OBJECTIVE: To assess dental fluorosis, dental caries and quality of life factors associated with dental fluorosis among schoolchildren living in a Colombian endemic dental fluorosis area. METHOD: 110 12-year olds were visually examined for dental caries (ICDAS) and dental fluorosis (TF) and a self-administered quality of life and fluorosis questionnaire

  • Esthetically objectionable fluorosis attributable to water fluoridation

    OBJECTIVE: We compared estimates of fluorosis prevalence and risk attributable to fluoridation using an index applied to the entire dentition and to the maxillary anterior teeth. We also estimated the prevalence of perceived esthetic problems attributable to current fluoridation policy (Attributable Burden). METHODS: Fluorosis prevalence estimates were obtained from the National

• Related FAN Content :

  • Mechanisms by Which Fluoride Causes Dental Fluorosis Remain Unknown

    When it comes to how fluoride impacts human health, no tissue in the body has been studied more than the teeth. Yet, despite over 50 years of research, the mechanism by which fluoride causes dental fluorosis (a hypo-mineralization of the enamel that results in significant staining of the teeth) is not

  • Community Fluorosis Index (CFI)

    The current Community Fluorosis Index for U.S. adolescents as a whole (from both fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas) is roughly 5 times higher than the CFI health authorities predicted for fluoridated areas when fluoridation first began. It is also higher than the CFI that the NIDR found in fluoridated areas back in the 1980s. It is readily apparent, therefore, that children are ingesting far more fluoride than was the case in the 1950s, and even as recently as the 1980s.

  • Diagnostic Criteria for Dental Fluorosis: The Thylstrup-Fejerskov (TF) Index

    The traditional criteria (the "Dean Index") for diagnosing dental fluorosis was developed in the first half of the 20th century by H. Trendley Dean. While the Dean Index is still widely used in surveys of fluorosis -- including the CDC's national surveys of fluorosis in the United States -- dental

  • Diagnostic Criteria for Dental Fluorosis: The TSIF ("Total Surface Index of Fluorosis")

    The traditional criteria (the "Dean Index") for diagnosing dental fluorosis was developed in the first half of the 20th century by H. Trendley Dean. While the Dean Index is still widely used in surveys of fluorosis -- including the CDC's national surveys of fluorosis in the United States -- dental

  • Moderate/Severe Dental Fluorosis

    In its "moderate" and severe forms, fluoride causes a marked increase in the porosity of the enamel. After eruption into mouth, the porous enamel of moderate to severe fluorosis readily takes up stain, creating permanent brown and black discolorations of the teeth. In addition to extensive staining, teeth with moderate to severe fluorosis are more prone to attrition and wear - leading to pitting, chipping, and decay.