Fluoride varnishes: should we be using them?

Abstract

Fluoride varnishes are fast becoming the standard of care as topical fluoride treatments. Fluoride varnishes still await approval from the FDA for use as caries preventive agents. In the meantime, their use for such purposes is considered "off-label." This article highlights the efficacy of fluoride varnishes as caries preventive agents and introduces some of the commercially available fluoride varnishes to the reader. As more clinical trials in the US unravel the efficacy of these agents, there is little doubt that fluoride varnishes will become an integral part of our preventive armamentarium in the battle against dental caries.