Abstract
The present study aimed at investigating whether part of the enamel opacities found in 20 permanent premolars could be ascribed to uptake of excess fluoride and whether there are appreciable differences in prevalence and progression of dental caries between tooth groups with and without developmental enamel defects. Fluoride content of enamel was assessed by electron probe microanalysis. Based on visual inspection, F/Ca determination, and histopathologic examination, the pooled premolars were divided into three groups: enamel without developmental defects (n=6), enamel with fluoride-relative defects (n=6), and enamel with fluorotic-irrelative developmental defects (n=8). This data shows a high incidence of developmental enamel malformations. The present histopathologic findings indicate that there were no significant differences in caries experience between the tooth groups regarding the entire coronal enamel, but that mild fluorotic enamel is associated with a lower risk of caries susceptibility in these smooth surfaces, while caries development still remains predominant in pits and fissures.
