The release of ions by compomers under neutral and acidic conditions

Three commercial compomers have been studied for their interaction with aqueous solutions (i.e. water at pH 5.9 and lactic acid at pH 2.7). Light-cured discs of these materials (12.8 diameter x 1 mm depth; Dyract AP, Compoglass F and F2000) were prepared and stored in 5 cm(3) of either water or lactic acid at pH 2.7. After 1 week, mass changes, pH changes and ion-release were determined. For the specimens stored in water, the effect of maturation under neutral conditions was studied by continuing storage for 3 months, followed by storage in lactic acid for a further week after which ion release and pH change were determined. Student's t-test was used to determine statistical significance of any changes observed. All three cured compomers absorbed water and altered the pH of the solutions, though this was statistically significant only in lactic acid. They were found to release Na, Ca, Sr, Al, Si, P and F ions, with greater amounts being released in acidic conditions than neutral ones. More fluoride was released in acid than in water, but the proportion of free (uncomplexed) fluoride to bound (complexed) fluoride was much lower than in neutral conditions. This was attributed to the formation of strong complexes with aluminium. Maturing specimens for 3 months made very little difference to their interaction with the acid solution, except for the total release of fluoride, which was some two to three greater than from the immature specimens.