Fluoride release and recharging ability of new dental sealants

This in vitro investigation was to evaluate the fluoride release and recharge abilities of three recently introduced dental fissure sealants (FS).

Three dental FS were assessed: Teethmate F-1 (Kuraray), Fissurit F (Voco), BeautiSealant (Shofu), and a conventional glass ionomer cement FX-II (Shofu) as a control. Eight cylindrical specimens (7 × 2 mm) of each material were made and immersed individually in 5 ml de-ionized water in plastic containers. Fluoride release of the tested materials was evaluated during the experimental period (28 days) utilising a fluoride ion-selective electrode. At the end of the test period, the specimens were soaked for 5 min in a fluoride solution (0.05 % NaF) and fluoride release was evaluated for the next 5 days. The data were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test and the level of significance was preset at α = 0.05.

The total fluoride release over the 28-day period for each material was: FX-II (408.6 ± 45.66 μg/cm(2)) > Teethmate F-1 (89.45 ± 12.32 μg/cm(2)) > Fissurit F (68.62 ± 8.72 μg/cm(2)) > BeautiSealant (33.32 ± 4.91 μg/cm(2)), (p < 0.05). After the re-fluoridation of the specimens with 0.05 % NaF solution the cumulative fluoride re-release during the 5-day period for each material was: FX-II (99.53 ± 13.21 μg/cm(2)) > Teethmate F-1 (9.76 ± 1.62 μg/cm(2)) > BeautiSealant (5.69 ± 0.89 μg/cm(2)) > Fissurit F (4.76 ± 0.72 μg/cm(2)), (p < 0.05).

The three tested sealants exhibited different capabilities to release and uptake fluoride ions after re-fluoridation but significantly lower than the glass ionomer tested.