Fluoride release from a light-cured bonding material in openbite orthodontic patients

This study was undertaken to clarify whether the salivary fluoride concentration on the anterior and premolar teeth, released from an orthodontic bonding material, differed between openbite and non-openbite patients. Using fluoride-releasing bonding materials, brackets were bonded to the teeth in openbite and in non-openbite patients. Saliva films on the tooth surfaces near the brackets were collected with filter paper and fluoride concentrations in the saliva were determined by using a fluoride electrode technique. Saliva was collected and analyzed at different periods after the bonding. Fluoride concentrations in the saliva increased sharply immediately after bonding, decreased gradually thereafter, then leveled off. Fluoride concentrations in the saliva on the tooth surfaces were higher in openbite patients for one day to as long as one week. The results of the two-way analysis (ANOVA) showed that the differences in the overbite factor (openbite, non-openbite) contributed to the variances the most (p < 0.001; contribution, 59.50 percent after one day and p < 0.01; contribution, 49.63 percent after 3 days). In conclusion, the fluoride released from the bonding materials on the tooth surfaces was retained more in openbite than in non-openbite patients, suggesting their lower flow rate of saliva.