Is Fluoride Concentration in Dentin and Enamel a Good Indicator of Dental Fluorosis?

Despite some studies correlating dental fluorosis (DF) and fluoride (F) concentration in dental enamel, no information is available about DF and dentin F concentration. Our objective was to determine the correlation between teeth F concentration and DF severity in unerupted human 3rd molars, and the correlation between dentin and enamel F concentrations in the same tooth. Ninety-nine 3rd molars were studied-53 from Fortaleza, Brazil (F water, 0.7 ppm), 22 from Toronto (1.0 ppm), and 24 from Montreal (0.2 ppm). DF severity was evaluated according to the Thylstrup-Fejerskov Index, while F concentration was analyzed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. DF severity varied between TF0 and TF4, while F concentration ranged between 39 and 550 ppm in enamel and 101 and 860 ppm in dentin. Our results showed correlation between dentin F concentration and DF (r(S) = 0.316, p = 0.001), but no correlation between enamel F concentration and DF (r(S) = 0.154, p = 0.133). No correlation was observed between dentin and enamel F concentrations in the same tooth (r(S) = 0.064, p = 0.536).