Assessment 0f Fluoride Ion Release from a Commercially Available Varnish

Original research Assessment 0f Fluoride Ion Release from a Commercially Available Varnish Kumar S, Babu GLK, Subramaniam P Abstract: The remineralizing property of fluoride in a varnish depends on its sustained release, thus increasing the availability of fluoride ions around the tooth for a prolonged period. Aim: The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the quantum of fluoride ions released from ClinproXT varnish over a period of three weeks. Materials and Methods: Freshly extracted thirty premolar teeth indicated for orthodontic extraction were collected from healthy children aged 13-15 years. The teeth were painted with an acid resistant varnish exposing a window of 5x5 mm that was covered with adhesive tape. The tape was later removed, and the window was etched with 15% phosphoric acid for 15 seconds and coated with one layer of the ClinproXT varnish (3M ESPE) using a disposable brush. The varnish was light cured for 20 seconds. Each tooth sample was stored in a bottle containing 20 ml of deionized water and incubated at 37C. Fluoride concentration was measured using a microanalytical technique with an inverted fluoride ion selective coupled to a benchtop analyzer. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using paired t test. Results: Fluoride release at the end of three weeks was 0.27±0.04 ppm which was significantly higher than that of 0.16±0.03 ppm observed at the end of first week (P value<0.001). Conclusion: There was a significant release of fluoride ions from the tested varnish over a period of three weeks.