Effect of Short-term Fluoride Release from Various Restorative Cements on Enamel Demineralization: An in vitro Study

ABSTRACT Purpose Fluorides are probably the most commonly used anticaries agents. Due to this property they are incorporated into various restorative materials. The rate and amount of fluoride release, however, vary for different materials, which in turn determines the effectiveness of the restorative material in preventing demineralization around the restoration. To evaluate the fluoride release and area of demineralization of resin modified glass ionomers and compomers, and compare them with conventional glass ionomer cement and also to evaluate the relationship between the fluoride release and demineralization. Materials and methods A total of 32 human incisors were chosen and sectioned horizontally at CEJ, and the middle 2 mm of facial enamel isolated and restored with the test materials: Conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC), resin modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), compomer and resin composite. The specimens were observed under polarized light microscope with image analyzer to measure the area and depth of demineralization. For fluoride release study, disks of test materials were suspended in deionized water and fluoride release was measured till a period of 4 days. Results The area and depth of demineralization were least around the GIC, followed by RMGIC, compomer and composite (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between fluoride release and demineralization which was, however, not statistically significant. Conclusion The 4-day fluoride release was also higher for GIC as compared to RMGIC and Compomer.