Relationship between the fluoride concentration of the fluoride-releasing elastomers and the acquired acid resistance of human enamel in vitro.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the fluoride concentration of the fluoride-releasing elastomers and the acquired acid resistance of human enamel. Four kinds of fluoride concentration of the experimental fluoride-releasing elastomers were 1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5.0 wt%. An enamel block was cut into two smaller enamel blocks, one of which was set with an elastomer, the other as a control not set with elastomer. A plastic block that had the same shape as the small enamel block was also set with elastomer. Fluoride release and acid resistance tests were carried out. The mineral loss of the demineralized enamel was measured by microradiography. The results showed that the fluoride-releasing ability significantly increased with the increase of fluoride concentration in the elastomer (p < 0.05). The acid resistance of the enamel appeared to be enhanced greatly, however, its change was not proportional to the fluoride concentration in the elastomers.