Advances in Dental Research, Vol 9, 198-207, Copyright © 1995 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Animal caries models for evaluating fluoride dentifrices
G. K. Stookey, J. M. Warrick, L. L. Miller and A. L. Greene
Indiana University School of Dentistry, Oral Health Research Institute, Indianapolis 46202-2876, USA.
To determine the ability of animal caries models to evaluate the
cariostatic potential of fluoride dentifrices, we examined four different
coronal caries models. These currently used rat caries models were:
Francis' hypomineralized area model, Gaffar's CARA rat model, the
Connecticut model, and the Indiana model. Available data indicated that all
of these models were capable of detecting significant cariostatic benefits
from clinically proven fluoride dentifrices. For the most part, these
animal models were also able to demonstrate a response to increasing
concentrations of fluoride, particularly if the fluoride was provided in an
ionic rather than a complexed form. Data were also presented which
indicated the potential for animal caries models to be used to predict the
clinical benefits of non-fluoride systems as well as the utility of
fluoride systems for the prevention of root-surface caries. It is concluded
that animal caries models play a significant role in the development and
evaluation of fluoride and other systems for the clinical prevention of
dental caries.
