What type of fluoride involvement occurs when it is applied as a treatment by a dentist?

When fluoride is applied as a treatment by a dentist, it is considered topical fluoride. This means that the fluoride is applied directly to the surface of the teeth, allowing it to have a localized effect in strengthening enamel and helping to prevent dental caries (tooth decay). Topical fluoride is often found in professional applications such as gels, varnishes, or foams used in dental offices, and also includes products that patients can use at home, like toothpaste and mouth rinses.

In contrast, systemic fluoride is ingested and then incorporated into the body, primarily through water, food, or supplements, which affects developing teeth from the inside out. Inhaled fluoride is not a common method of administering fluoride and is not standard practice in dental treatment. Absorbed fluoride is a vague term that does not specifically relate to how fluoride is commonly administered in dentistry; it doesn't denote a distinct method of fluoride application like topical or systemic does. Therefore, the correct identification of the type of fluoride involvement from a dental treatment perspective is topical fluoride.