Fluoride uptake in human dentine from glass-ionomer cement in vivo

The purpose was to examine F uptake and distribution in dentine from a F-containing glass-ionomer cement in vivo. Nine volunteers were selected from dental students who were scheduled for extraction of their third molars. Two cavities were prepared on the same occlusal surface of the third molars for each subject; one was restored with glass-ionomer cement (Virtabond), the other with zinc phosphate cement as a control. After 3 months the teeth were extracted. F profiles in the dentine from the cavity floor to the pulpal surface were determined in tissue immediately adjacent to the restorations. An abrasive micro-sampling technique was used. The F concentration of the dentine was highest immediately beneath glass-ionomer cement filling, decreasing towards the pulpal surface. Overall F concentrations were greater in the dentine beneath the glass-ionomer cement than in that beneath the zinc phosphate cement. It was concluded that the glass-ionomer cement markedly enhanced fluoride uptake by underlying dentine in vivo.