Use of fluoride-containing sealant on proximal surfaces

A visible light curing sealant was developed for the prevention of caries on the smooth surfaces especially on the proximal surfaces. The sealant is mainly composed of dimethacrylate monomers. It contains a total amount of 2.28 mass% fluoride as poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacryloyl fluoride) and sodium fluoride. The fluoride-containing sealant could be successfully applied to the proximal surfaces between the first and second primary molars by making access to the interproximal space with an orthodontic separating module. Availability of fluoride was assessed by the concentration of fluoride released into 1 ml of distilled water as a function of time from disks 5 mm in diameter and 0.2 mm in thickness. Ten microg of fluoride was measured on the first day; after 3 days the rate remained fairly constant at about 1 pg/day for a period of 28 days. The fluoride uptake and the improved acid solubility were investigated in vitro using bovine incisors. The fluoride of the control, that is enamel without sealant treatment, was not detectable. The fluoride incorporated into enamel after 37 hours application was 2,100 ppm at 2 pm from the enamel surface. The enamel solubility to acids decreased by the fluoride incorporation.