The role of fluoride in the prevention of osteoporosis

Although sodium fluoride is a potent stimulator of bone formation, a clear role for this therapy in osteoporosis remains elusive. Controlled clinical trials uniformly document an increase in bone mineral density but have provided conflicting results concerning antifracture efficacy. The increase in bone density is dose-dependent but higher doses appear to affect biomechanical properties of the skeleton adversely. Newer preparations of slow-release sodium fluoride and monosodium fluorophosphate may clarify the role of fluoride in osteoporosis.