Effects of fluoride treatment on bone strength.

Bone mass and architecture in appendicular and most axial sites is controlled primarily by the tissue-loading history. We introduce a conceptual framework for understanding how fluoride treatment alters this control and can cause systemic increases in bone mass. Due to possible adverse influences of fluoride on the mineralized tissue physical characteristics, however, the increase in bone mass does not necessarily result in an increase in bone strength. Using engineering analyses of bone trabeculae, we calculate the losses in trabecular strength which can be caused by the presence of hypomineralized or hypermineralized fluorotic tissue. Significant increases in bone volume fraction and bone mass may be required to overcome these strength deficits.