Bioactivity and fluoride release of strontium and fluoride modified Biodentine

Biodentine™ is a novel tricalcium silicate based material used both as a coronal dentine replacement and in pulp therapy. Its multiple use in sealing perforations, pulp capping and as a temporary restoration arises from its ability to promote dentine formation and to confer an excellent marginal seal. However, there is still room for improvement of this cement as it lacks the anticariogenic effect typically conferred by fluoride ion release as seen in glass ionomer cement based dental materials. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the impact of bioactive glass addition to Biodentine™.

was to compare the apatite formation capacity, specificity of the apatite type formed and fluoride ion release by Biodentine™ cements that have been modified by three different compositions of bioactive glasses.

High fluoride, high strontium and high fluoride plus strontium containing bioactive glasses were synthesized, incorporated into Biodentine™ powder and four types of cements prepared. These cements were immersed in phosphate buffered saline solution and incubated for a period of 3 and 24h, 3, 7 and 14 days. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and fluoride ion release studies were performed.

Bioactive glass addition to Biodentine™ led to pronounced formation of apatite. Where the bioactive glass contained fluoride, fluorapatite and fluoride ion release were demonstrated.

Eliciting fluorapatite formation and fluoride ion release from Biodentine™ is an important development as fluoride is known to have antibacterial and anticariogenic effects.