Dental fluorosis: A histological study using Light and Confocal microscopy.

Aims: To observe and characterize the histological features of fluorosed teeth under light and confocal microscope (CFM).

Materials And Methods: A total of 25 fluorosed teeth and 5 normal teeth were collected from dentists across Dindigul, a known endemic area of fluorosis in South India. Ground sections of respective teeth were observed under light microscope and the sections were subsequently stained with acridine orange and studied under CFM.

Results: Histological changes were observed in the ground sections of fluorosed teeth as compared with the normal teeth. Depending on the degree of fluorosis, the affected teeth showed various features of hypomineralization in enamel and dentin.

Conclusions: Fluoride interacts with both mineral phases and organic macromolecules by strong ionic and hydrogen bonds resulting in incomplete crystal growth at prism peripheries. This presents as hypomineralization of enamel and dentin.