Enamel fluoride uptake from an experimental fluoride-releasing orthodontic adhesive

The purpose of this study was to evaluate quantitatively the fluoride uptake by enamel from an experimental visible light-cured orthodontic adhesive (VP-862) based on YbF3 filler. Sixteen contralateral premolars were extracted from 10 orthodontic patients and were classified in four groups (A, B, C, D) of four buccal surfaces each. Standardized enamel areas located on these surfaces were acid etched and were subjected to the following adhesive treatments: (A) VP-862; (B) Heliosit Orthodontic; (C) Heliobond + VP 862; and (D) Heliobond + Heliosit Orthodontic. Groups B and D were used as a reference. After 9 months in vivo, the teeth were extracted and cross-sectioned, and the enamel-adhesive interfaces were studied by combined wavelength-energy dispersive electron probe microanalysis. According to the results, the cumulative fluoride uptake by enamel from the experimental adhesive was not statistically different from the fluoride detected in the reference groups. No effect of the liquid resin, Heliobond, on the fluoride uptake gradients of enamel could be differentiated.