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.