Evaluation of Fluoride Release in Chitosan-Modified Glass Ionomer Cements

ObjectiveThis study assessed the influence of chitosan nanoparticles on the fluoride-releasing ability of 4 glass ionomer cement (GIC) through an in vitro analysis.MethodsFour types of GIC (type II light cure universal restorative, type II universal restorative, GC Fuji VII, and type IX) were modified with nanochitosan particles; 10% chitosan was added to the glass ionomer liquid. Six specimens for each of the 4 groups were created, using expendable Teflon moulds. Discs of each type of GIC (n = 6) were immersed in deionised water at various time intervals. Electrodes selective for fluoride ions were employed to analyse the amount of released fluoride at 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days.ResultsChitosan-modified GICs showed greater fluoride release than conventional GICs at all time points. All samples showed an initial high release of fluoride that tapered off with time. The total amount of fluoride released increased from the 1st day to the 28th day on adding chitosan to all the 4 types of GIC. Amongst those, type IX high-strength posterior extra with chitosan released a considerably higher quantity of fluoride at all time intervals.ConclusionsIn all the experimental groups, adding chitosan to the glass ionomer liquid had an accelerating effect on its fluoride-releasing property.     

Glass ionomer cements as a fluoride release system in vivo

Fluoride release to saliva from three glass ionomer cements, Vitrabond, Ketac-Fil, and ChemFil II, was followed for six weeks in vivo. Colony forming units (CFU) of S. mutans present in saliva before and after placement of glass ionomer restorations were analysed. Thirty-six children received 1-6 glass ionomer cement restorations of one of the three materials. Unstimulated saliva was collected and analysed before insertion of restorations (baseline measurement), immediately after treatment, after 3 weeks and after 6 weeks. The fluoride concentration was measured according to a method slightly modified from Ekstrand (1977) and Duckworth et al. (1987). Baseline concentration of fluoride was between 0.038 and 0.050 ppm. Immediately after placement of GIC restorations, fluoride concentrations increased to 0.8 for ChemFil II and 1.2 ppm for Ketac-Fil and Vitrabond. After 3 weeks, concentrations of released fluoride decreased about 35% for all three materials, and after 6 weeks, concentrations decreased another 30%. However, still after 6 weeks, the fluoride concentrations of unstimulated saliva was 10 times higher than the baseline values. The more restored teeth surfaces the higher was the saliva fluoride concentration found. The prevalence of S. mutants in saliva decreased after placement of the GIC restorations.     

A method for producing controlled fluoride release from an orthodontic bracket

The aim of this study was to manufacture and test, in vitro, a novel modification to provide fluoride-releasing orthodontic brackets. Thirty-two orthodontic brackets were drilled to produce a recess (approximately 1.3 mm in diameter and 0.7 mm in depth) at the centre of the bracket base. Four materials, with and without the addition of sodium fluoride, a glass ionomer cement (Ketac Cem micro), a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC; GC Fuji Ortho LC), a zinc phosphate (Zinc Cement Improved), and a resin (Transbond XT) were used to fill the recess in the bracket base. Fluoride release was measured daily during the first week and then weekly for 10 weeks. An ion chromatograph with suppressed conductivity was used for free fluoride ion determination. Statistical analysis to determine the amount of flouride release was undertaken using analysis of variance and Tukey's test. During the first 2 weeks, the resin group, with the addition of 38 per cent sodium fluoride added, released significantly more free fluoride (P < 0.05), but after 2 weeks the fluoride release markedly decreased. After 5 weeks, the RMGIC group, with 15 per cent added sodium fluoride, had significantly higher (P < 0.05) daily fluoride release than the other groups. The findings demonstrated that an appropriate fluoridated material can be used as a fluoride-releasing reservoir in a modified orthodontic bracket to enable it to release fluoride over the period of fixed appliance treatment.     

Early biofilm formation and the effects of antimicrobial agents on orthodontic bonding materials in a parallel plate flow chamber

Decalcification is a commonly recognized complication of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. A technology, based on a parallel plate flow chamber, was developed to investigate early biofilm formation of a strain of Streptococcus sanguis on the surface of four orthodontic bonding materials: glass ionomer cement (Ketac Cem), resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji Ortho LC), chemically-cured composite resin (Concise) and light-cured composite resin (Transbond XT). S. sanguis was used as it is one of the primary colonizers of dental hard surfaces. Artificial saliva was supplied as a source of nutrients for the biofilms. The effects of two commercially available mouthrinses (i.e. a fluoride containing rinse and chlorhexidine) were evaluated. Initial colonization of the bacterium was assessed after 6 hours of growth by the percentage surface coverage (PSC) of the biofilm on the disc surfaces. There were statistically significant differences in bacterial accumulation between different bonding materials (P < 0.05), Concise being the least colonized and Transbond XT being the most colonized by S. sanguis biofilms. All materials pre-treated with 0.05 per cent sodium fluoride mouthrinse showed more than 50 per cent reduction in biofilm formation. The 0.2 per cent chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse caused significant reduction of biofilm formation on all materials except Ketac Cem. This in vitro study showed that the use of a chemically-cured composite resin (Concise) reduced early S. sanguis biofilm formation. Also, fluoride had a greater effect in reducing the PSC by S. sanguis biofilms than chlorhexidine. Rinsing with 0.05 per cent sodium fluoride prior to placement of orthodontic appliances is effective in reducing early biofilm formation.     

Effect of air polishing on the fluoride release of (resin-modified) glass ionomer cements and of a polyacid-modified composite resin

Eight different conventional and resin-modified glass ionomers as well as a polyacid-modified composite were air polished and their fluoride release was determined in comparison to untreated controls. The air polishing was done with two different devices at medium and maximum setting for powder and water. Ninety discs of 1.5 mm thickness and 7.0 mm diameter were produced from each cement. These discs were stored in 5 ml deionized water at 37°C. After 1 day and 1, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks, the specimens were transferred into new vials with fresh deionized water. From the 4th week onward, the specimens (except for the untreated controls) were air polished on half of their upper and lower surfaces for 2 s each before being put into a new vial. After 20 weeks the fluoride released during the previous 4 weeks was determined with a fluoride ion-sensitive electrode. With the exception of Ketac-Cem, all cements released significantly more fluoride ions after air polishing, irrespective of the devices' settings. The differences in the amount of fluoride released among the investigated materials were greater than the changes in fluoride release patterns caused by air polishing. Air polishing increased the fluoride release by 20–60% in most of the materials investigated. Received: 10 February 1998 / Accepted: 25 May 1998     

Fluoride release from glass ionomer-lined amalgam restorations

This study evaluated the amount of fluoride released from glass ionomer-lined amalgam restorations. 50 human extracted molars were divided into five groups of 10 teeth each. Group 1: No restorations. Group 2: Class V cavities (2 x 2 x 7 mm) were made on the facial and lingual surfaces and restored with Dispersalloy amalgam. Group 3: Same as Group 2 except 1 mm of Ketac-Bond glass ionomer cement (GIC) was placed on the axial wall before amalgam insertion. Group 4: Same as Group 2 except 1 mm of Chelon-Silver glass ionomer cement (GIC) was placed on the axial wall before amalgam insertion. Group 5: Same as Group 2 except 1 mm of Ketac-Silver GIC was used before amalgam insertion. Before any treatment, all samples were placed in polyethylene vials with 4 ml of deionized water and thermocycled (100x) for baseline fluoride release levels. After restoration, each tooth was placed in a vial with 4 ml of fresh deionized water. At weekly intervals, each tooth was removed from its aqueous medium and transferred to another vial containing 4 ml of deionized water. Fluoride release was measured four times at weekly intervals with an Orion #9609 fluoride-ion electrode. At one week, Ketac-Bond released significantly more fluoride than Ketac-Silver (P less than 0.01) which released significantly more fluoride than Chelon-Silver (P less than 0.01). At four weeks, there was no significant difference in fluoride release between Chelon-Silver and Ketac-Silver, but Ketac-Bond released significantly more fluoride than either of the other materials (P less than 0.01).     

In vitro fluoride release from aesthetic restorative materials following recharging with APF gel

In this in vitro study, the fluoride ion release from three more-viscous conventional glass ionomer cements (GICs)--ChemFlex, Fuji IX GP, Ionofil Molar--four polyacid-modified resin composites (compomers)--Dyract AP, Compoglass F, Freedom, F2000--and a hybrid resin composite--Ariston pHc--were compared. The amounts of fluoride release from 3 x 2.7 mm specimens were measured over six weeks using a fluoride ion-selective electrode. After six weeks, the specimens were recharged with 2 ml of 1.23 per cent acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel for four minutes. The recharged specimens were then assessed for the amounts of fluoride release over another six weeks. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way and repeated measures ANOVA. The GICs and Compoglass F showed significantly higher initial fluoride release rates during the first two days (p < 0.05). After the first two days, fluoride release rates from all materials dropped quickly and became essentially stabilized within three-five weeks, in an exponential mode. The recharging of the specimens with APF gel caused a brief, but significant, increase in fluoride release for all materials (p < 0.05), before decreasing to previous comparable rates. Compoglass F released relatively more fluoride, and Ariston pHc relatively less, after APF gel application than before. The lowest total amounts over the study were released by Dyract AP and Freedom. The newer compomers, as well as the newer more-viscous GICs, appear to act as fluoride reservoirs to varying extents.     

Fluoride release from a glass ionomer cement

abstract – The release of fluoride from a glass ionomer cement (ASPA®) was. compared with that from a silicate cement. Test specimens were shaken in a solution with hydroxyapadte for 7 weeks. The solution was changed every week and the fluoride taken up by the hydroxyapatite measured. The specimens released considerably more fluoride during each of the first 2 weeks than during each of the subsequent 5 weeks. The continued release did not decrease very much with time. Slightly more fluoride was released from the glass ionomer cement than from the silicate.     

Fluoride release from a glass ionomer cement.

The release of fluoride from a glass ionomer cement (ASPA) was compared with that from a silicate cement. Test specimens were shaken in a solution with hydroxyapatite for 7 weeks. The solution was changed every week and the fluoride taken up by the hydroxyapatite measured. The specimens released considerably more fluoride during each of the first 2 weeks than during each of the subsequent 5 weeks. The continued release did not decrease very much with time. Slightly more fluoride was released from the glass ionomer cement than from the silicate.     

Effect of brushing on fluoride release from 3 bracket adhesives.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare fluoride ion release from 3 orthodontic bracket adhesives with and without brushing the bracketed teeth with a fluoridated dentifrice. The bracket adhesives included a light-cured composite resin (Transbond; 3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif), a fluoride-releasing composite resin (Advance; L D Caulk Division, Dentsply International, Milford, Del), and a resin-modified glass ionomer (Fuji Ortho LC; GC America, Alsip, Ill). The teeth in the control group were not bonded with brackets. Sixty extracted human teeth were randomly assigned to 6 groups of 10 each: (1) Transbond, brushed; (2) Advance, brushed; (3) Advance, not brushed; (4) Fuji, brushed; (5) Fuji, not brushed; and (6) control, brushed. After bonding, each tooth was placed in a sealed plastic test tube containing 4 ml of deionized water. The toothpaste used in brushing contained 0.15% weight per volume sodium fluoride, 1500 parts per million parts fluoride (Winter-fresh gel; Colgate-Palmolive Co., New York, NY). Brushing began 24 hours after the teeth were bonded and placed in deionized water. After brushing, the teeth were thoroughly rinsed with deionized water and returned to a sealed test tube. Fluoride measurements were taken before brushing began, at intervals of 72 hours for 22 days, and 90 and 93 days after bonding. Findings included: (1) brushing significantly increased the release of fluoride ions from the teeth in the composite resin and control groups, (2) the enamel crowns of the unbonded control teeth absorbed and re-released a substantial amount of fluoride ions obtained from the toothpaste, (3) the brushed group of teeth bonded with the fluoride-releasing composite resin released significantly more fluoride on the last 4 days that measurements were taken after brushing than the nonbrushed group bonded with the same adhesive, (4) the brushed group of teeth bonded with the resin-modified glass ionomer released significantly more fluoride on the last 4 days that measurements were taken after brushing than the nonbrushed group bonded with the same adhesive, and (5) all groups released small amounts of fluoride ions 90 and 93 days after bonding (68.5 and 71.5 days after brushing ended); the resin-modified glass ionomer groups released significantly more fluoride than the other groups. Brushing with fluoridated toothpaste produced significantly greater fluoride release from teeth bonded with all 3 adhesives, and from the unbonded control teeth.     

Fluoride release and uptake by aged resin-modified glass ionomers and a polyacid-modified resin composite

Little has been reported of the relationship of fluoride release and weight loss, and the effects of use of different fluoride agents on restorations, for the new generation of glass ionomer cements. The objectives of this study were to compare fluoride release of fresh and aged specimens of a polyacid-modified resin composite (Dyract), and of three resin-modified glass ionomer cements (Fuji II LC, Photac-Fil, Vitremer); and to correlate fluoride release and weight loss of aged specimens after recharging with three different fluoride agents. All materials showed high initial fluoride release immediately after uptake when using the agents. However, the levels of fluoride release dropped rapidly soon afterwards. Although initial fluoride release was significantly different between Dyract and the three resin-modified glass ionomers, when different fluoride agents were used on aged specimens after recharging, no significant differences were found after the first few hours. Linear regression analyses also showed no correlation between cumulative fluoride release and weight loss. Possible beneficial oral health effects may only be expected by frequent exposure of these materials to fluoride agents.     

Effects of fluoride and aluminum from ionomeric materials on S. mutans biofilm

Ionomeric materials release different proportions of fluoride and aluminum. Their simultaneous effect on the acidogenicity and composition of S. mutans biofilm is unknown. Six cylindrical specimens of each material (Ketac-fil, Vitremer, Fuji-Ortho LC, F-2000, and Z-100) were incubated with S. mutans GS-5 in culture media containing 5% sucrose (w/v). The media were changed daily for seven days, during which the pH and concentrations of fluoride and aluminum were determined. Furthermore, the concentrations of these ions and insoluble polysaccharide were determined in the biofilm formed at the end of the experimental period. The results showed that all the materials tested released fluoride. However, Vitremer released the highest amount of aluminum and was the most effective in reducing the acidogenicity of S. mutans biofilms. It also significantly affected both biofilm formation and composition. Thus, this study suggests that aluminum released by ionomeric materials may enhance the biological effects of fluoride.     

Fluoride release from three glass ionomers, a compomer, and a composite resin in water, artificial saliva, and lactic acid

The amounts and the pattern of fluoride release from one metal-reinforced glass ionomer cement, two resin-modified glass ionomer cements, one compomer, and one composite resin placed in double-distilled water, artificial saliva, and lactic acid were evaluated in this study. Measurements of fluoride ion release were made for a total of 105 cylindrical specimens (10 mm in diameter and 1.5 mm in height). They were taken over a period of 16 weeks at the intervals of 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours, as well as 2, 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 112 days. The pattern of fluoride release was similar for all of the examined materials. The greatest amount of fluoride was released from the metal-reinforced glass ionomer Argion. The resin-modified glass ionomers Vitremer, Fuji II LC; the compomer Dyract; and the composite resin Tetric followed in ranking order. The pH of the environment strongly affected the fluoride release from the materials. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the amounts of fluoride released in lactic acid vs water and artificial saliva, whereas, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the amounts of fluoride released in water vs artificial saliva.     

Fluoride release from amalgam restorations lined with a silver-reinforced glass ionomer

This study evaluated the amount of fluoride released from amalgam restorations lined with a silver-reinforced glass ionomer. Thirty human extracted molars were divided into three groups of 10 teeth each. Group 1: Class V cavities were made on the facial surfaces and restored with Dispersalloy amalgam. Group 2: Same as Group 1 except 1 mm of GC Lining glass ionomer cement (GIC) was placed on the axial wall before amalgam insertion. Group 3: Same as Group 2 except 1 mm of Miracle Mix silver-reinforced glass ionomer cement (GIC) was placed on the axial wall before amalgam insertion. Before any treatment, all samples were placed in polyethylene vials with 4 ml of deionized water and thermocycled (100x) for baseline fluoride release levels. After restoration, each tooth was replaced in a vial with 4 ml of deionized water. At weekly intervals, each tooth was removed from its aqueous medium and transferred to another vial containing 4 ml of deionized water. Fluoride release was measured four times at weekly intervals with an Orion #9609 fluoride-ion electrode. At 1 and 4 weeks, Miracle Mix released significantly more fluoride than GC Lining (P less than 0.0001).     

Effects of daily fluoride exposures on fluoride release by glass ionomer-based restoratives

It is well documented that glass ionomer cements absorb and release fluoride following single fluoride exposures. This study examined fluoride release among three glass ionomer-based restorative materials following multiple daily exposures to three topical fluoride regimens. Using a Delrin mold, 32 cylindrical specimens, each of a glass ionomer (Ketac-Fil), resin-modified glass ionomer (Photac-Fil) and polyacid-modified resin (Dyract AP) were created. Each specimen was subjected to one of four daily treatments (n = 8): (1) no fluoride treatment (control); (2) application of a fluoride dentifrice (1000 ppm) for one minute once daily; (3) application of the same dentifrice for one minute twice daily; (4) the same regimen as (3), plus immersion in a 0.05% sodium fluoride (NaF) mouth rinse (225 ppm) for one minute immediately following the second dentifrice application. Each specimen was suspended in a polyethylene test tube containing 1.0 ml demineralizing solution (pH 4.3) at 37 degrees C for six hours, then transferred to a new test tube containing 1.0 ml remineralizing solution (pH 7.0) at 37 degrees C for 18 hours. Fluoride treatments were completed at the time of transfer daily for seven days. Media solutions were buffered with equal volumes of TISAB II; fluoride levels were measured using a digital ion analyzer and fluoride electrode. Fluoride release decreased significantly from Day 1 to Day 3 for all materials regardless of fluoride treatment (Repeated Measures ANOVA, Tukey HSD, p < 0.05). All specimens released significantly more fluoride in demineralizing solution than in remineralizing solution. For Days 2-7, Treatment 4 produced greater fluoride release than both the control and Treatment 2 for all three materials (p < 0.05); For each material, the fluoride release produced by Treatments 3 and 4 was statistically similar on most days throughout the study. By Day 7, Photac-Fil demonstrated both the greatest total fluoride release and the greatest rechargability, followed by Ketac-Fil and Dyract AP. Although subsequent daily fluoride release never approached that of Day 1, increasing daily fluoride exposures enhanced fluoride release for all three restorative materials.     

Fluoride release, weight loss and erosive wear of modern aesthetic restoratives.

OBJECTIVE: In this investigation, the in vitro sustained fluoride release, weight loss and erosive wear of three conventional glass ionomer cements (Fuji IX, ChemFil Superior, Ketac-Silver), three resin-modified glass ionomer cements (Fuji II LC, Vitremer, Photac-Fil), a polyacid-modified resin composite (Dyract), and a resin composite control material (Z100) were compared. METHODS: The amounts of fluoride released and weight changes were measured for 12 weeks using a fluoride electrode with TISAB III buffer. After 12 weeks, the specimens were recharged with fluoride using 2 mL of 1.23% APF gel. The recharged specimens were assessed for the amounts of fluoride released and weight changes over another 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the specimens were examined with SEM and surface profilometry. RESULTS: All materials, with the exception of Z100, showed the highest initial fluoride release rates during the first 2 days, dropping quickly over 2 weeks and becoming largely stabilised after 5 weeks, in an exponential mode. The recharging of the specimens with APF gel caused a large increase in the amounts of fluoride released during the first 2 days only. Analyses for all cements showed strong correlations between mean weight loss and cumulative fluoride release over a 5-week period following the application of the APF gel. SEM and surface profilometry found that roughness increased from the polyacid-modified resin composite to the conventional glass ionomer cements. CONCLUSIONS: APF gel caused erosive wear of the glass ionomer cements especially, and the wear correlated well with the weight losses. To minimise surface erosion, APF gel should not be used on these cements, especially as the recharging effects are transitory.     

In vitro fluoride release from a light-cured glass-ionomer liner/base

This paper reports the results of an in vitro study of fluoride release from Vitrabond Light-Cure Glass Ionomer Liner/Base. The material released fluoride ions into the surrounding medium for up to 740 days. The rate of release of fluoride ions was independent of the cure time in the range studied. Combining a conventional polyalkenoic acid solution with the powder portion of Vitrabond Liner/Base did not significantly alter the release profile, thus indicating that light curing did not hinder the rate of fluoride release in this system. Secondary ion mass spectrometry studies of the dentin underlying the cured glass ionomer revealed that there was considerable incorporation of fluoride ions. There was no significant change in the mechanical properties of the cured cement aged in water at 37 degrees C for prolonged periods, thus indicating that long-term fluoride release did not adversely affect the strength of this material.     

Determination of fluoride ions released from resin-based dental materials using ion-selective electrode and ion chromatograph

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the quantities of total and free fluoride ions released from four resin-based composites containing fluoride (Heliomolar (HE), UniFil S (UF), Beautifil (BE) and Reactmer paste (RP)) and one glass ionomer cement (Ketac-Fil Plus Aplicap (KF)). METHODS: Five disk specimens of each material were prepared and the fluoride release was measured at 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The amounts of total and free fluoride ions released from materials were measured by using an ion-selective electrode (ISE) and ion chromatography (IC). Data were statistically analyzed using a t-test at a significant level of 0.05. RESULTS: For HE, fluoride release is undetectable using the ISE but was detected by the IC method. There were no significant differences in the free and total fluoride ions released from UF and BE (p>0.05). For RP, the free fluoride ions were significantly lower than the total fluoride ions after 4 days (p<0.05). KF showed significant difference between total and free fluoride ions at 7 and 28 days (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The nature of the fluoride incorporated into dental materials affected the amounts of free and total fluoride ions released from materials.     

Fluoride release and recharge in giomer, compomer and resin composite.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the fluoride recharging and releasing abilities of resin-based materials containing fluoridated glass filler to determine whether the extent of the glass-ionomer matrix of the material affects these properties. METHODS: Three materials having a different proportion of the hydrogel matrix surrounding the glass filler, namely: Reactmer paste, Dyract AP and Xeno CF, were used for this study. Five disk specimens of each material were placed into distilled/deionized water and the fluoride release measured during 38 days. For fluoride recharge the disks were exposed to 250 ppm F solution for 1 h and the pre- and post-recharge fluoride release were determined using an ion-selective electrode (total fluoride ions) and ion chromatography (free fluoride ions). RESULTS: The amounts of total and free fluoride release from each material at the initial period in descending order were Reactmer paste > Dyract AP > Xeno CF (p < 0.05 ANOVA and Scheffe's test). After fluoride recharge, Reactmer paste showed a greater amount of fluoride release than the other materials. Dyract AP and Xeno CF showed a similar total level of fluoride release after recharging. For Xeno CF the amount of total fluoride released after recharging was significantly greater than that of free fluoride, but there was no significant difference between total and free fluoride released after recharging for Dyract AP (p = 0.05 paired t-test). SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggested that the extent of the glass-ionomer matrix of the glass filler played an important role for fluoride-releasing and recharging abilities of the resin-based materials.     

Long-term fluoride release from a glass ionomer cement,a compomer,and from experimental resin composites

The aqueous phase of glass ionomer cements enables fluoride ions to diffuse and to be released from the material. The matrix of resin composites is much less hydrophilic, and fluoride incorporated in the material is only released in small amounts. It was the purpose of the present work to study the influence of resin matrix formulation on the fluoride release from experimental, fluoride-containing resin composites. The resin composites were based on methacrylate monomers and the adduct of maleic anhydride and HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The resin composites contained 1 w% or 5 w% of AlF3*3H2O. A glass ionomer cement and a compomer were used as controls. Five disks of each material were stored in distilled water at room temperature. By means of a fluoride sensitive electrode, the fluoride release from disk-shaped specimens was determined periodically over 3 years. The glass ionomer cement released the most fluoride (1.54 +/- 4 microg/cm2 after 1 year and 248 +/- 7 microg/cm2 after 3 years). The compomer released relatively little fluoride during the 1st year (30 +/- 1 microg/cm2) but after this time the rate of fluoride release became equal to that of the glass ionomer cement, resulting in a release of 122 +/- 8 microg/cm2 after 3 years. Regarding the resin composites, the fluoride release increased with the hydrophilicity and the acid character of the polymer matrix. The release, however, was significantly lower than that from the glass ionomer cement and the compomer and ranged from 1.2 +/- 0.07 to 42 +/- 3.9 microg/cm2 at 1 year and from 2.3 +/- 0.16 to 79 +/- 6 microg/cm2 at 3 years.