Fluoride release from four visible light-cured orthodontic adhesive resins

Decalcification of enamel during fixed orthodontic appliance treatment remains a problem. This study determined the in vitro fluoride (F) release from four light-cured orthodontic adhesives since cariostatic potential of such adhesives is related to their F releasing ability. Two nonfluoride and two fluoride-containing adhesives were tested. By means of the potentiometric analytical method, the F release of each resin was determined daily for 7 days and thereafter weekly for a month and then monthly until week 85. The data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests. The F release of all the resins were characterized by an initial burst of F release during the first day, followed by a tapering down in magnitude. FluorEver (MacroChem, Billerica, Mass.) outperformed the other adhesives in all aspects of F release and continued to release F for up to 85 weeks. Fluorapatite formation resulting from F release from orthodontic adhesives could be more advantageous in reducing decalcification during fixed appliance treatment than other preventive modalities.