In Vivo Evaluation of Effect Fluoride Varnish on Bacterial Colonization of Tooth Enamel Using Scanning Electron Microscopy

The purpose of this study was to assess the antimicrobial effect of Duraphat, a fluoride varnish. The Duraphat-treated human enamel specimens were mounted on one side of maxillary removable space-maintainers with the untreated ones on opposite sides as control specimens. After 24 hours and one week the amount and nature of plaque accumulation were examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM). The majority of the organisms were found to be coccal following the examinations made on specimens at 24 hours. T here seemed to be no significant difference in the amount of plaque accumulations between the experimental and control specimens at 24 hours. After one week however a thick layer of bacteria was observed to cover enamel surfaces, which was less dense on Duraphat-treated specimens compared to those of the control cases.