Fluoride Release and Recharge from Different Materials Used as Fissure Sealants

OBJECTIVES: Fluoride release/recharge properties of fissure sealants are important for their long-term inhibition of caries. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between fluoride release and recharge of pit-and-fissure sealants. METHODS: Specimens were prepared from 5 different sealant materials: Fissurit F, a conventional resin; Fuji VII, a glass-ionomer cement (GIC); Fuji II LC, a resin-modified GIC; Ionosit, a polyacid-modified composite resin (PMRC); and Aelite Flo, a flowable composite resin. Specimens stored in a polyethylene test tube containing 5.0 ml ultrapure water. On day 21, specimens were exposed to 1.23% APF gel. Fluoride release was measured using a fluoride-specific ion electrode at 1–7, 14, 21, 22, 28, 35 and 42 days. RESULTS: The glass-ionomer based sealants Fuji VII and Fuji II LC had significantly higher fluoride release than the other materials at all times tested (P<.05). Fluoride release of all materials tested increased following exposure to APF gel (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this short-term study, glass ionomer-based sealants were shown to have higher initial fluoride release as well as higher fluoride recharge capacity than other sealants.