The potential of fluoride-releasing dental restoratives to inhibit enamel demineralization: an SEM study.

UNLABELLED (Full text is available at http://www.manu.edu.mk/prilozi). OBJECTIVES The study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of fluoride-releasing materials (conventional and resin-modified glass-ionomers, compomer and fluoride-releasing composite resin) in inhibiting demineralization of restored teeth in an artificial caries medium. METHODS A total of 72 teeth (36 deciduous and 36 permanent) were used and Class V cavities were prepared on each tooth. These cavities were restored with or without conditioning (except for the composite, where all specimens were conditioned). The teeth were then stored in artificial saliva for periods of 1, 6, 12 and 18 months before being exposed to an acidic artificial caries gel and examined by SEM. RESULTS In the absence of a restoration, teeth were found to undergo enamel demineralization. Conventional glass-ionomer cements were found to inhibit this significantly. The resin-modified glass-ionomer generally had little effect, except for the18 month specimens, which also showed distinct zones of inhibition. The compomer showed no inhibition, and the fluoride-releasing composite resin showed only limited signs of inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Glass-ionomers, both conventional or resin-modified, are more effective at protecting the tooth against further decay than either compomers or fluoride-releasing composites, with the best protection of all being provided by conventional glass-ionomers. The nature of the tooth had no influence on these outcomes. Key words: Dental restoratives, artificial caries, electron microscopy, fluoride release.