Abstract
In brief: The concept of stimulating osteogenesis with fluoride seems rational and may prove to be effective in reducing the risk of fracture in osteoporotic persons. It seems clear that fluoride therapy can increase bone mass in the axial skeleton and thus be useful in preventing vertebral fractures, but current research has yet to show this conclusively. At present, therefore, fluoride treatment of osteoporosis should be restricted to clinical trials until its risks and benefits can be evaluated more fully.