Addition of Fluoride to Pit and Fissure Sealants-A Feasibility Study

Abstract

The data obtained in this in vitro study indicate that contact with pit and fissure sealants to which NaF has been added in amounts ranging from 2 to 5% substantially increases the fluoride content of the enamel and reduces its solubility in acid. The properties of the materials do not seem to be impaired by the addition of fluoride in these amounts. It thus appears that this approach to providing a backup anticariogenic mechanism may, indeed, be feasible. However, further investigation must be done to confirm the anticariogenic effect and to establish the most efficacious means of fluoride incorporation in the materials.

In vitro Enamel and Cementum Fluoride Uptake from Three Fluoride–Containing Composites

“…First a fluoride-containing composite was produced by the incorporation of soluble fluoride salts into the resin matrix [Swartz et al, 1976]. As far as the core build-up material FluoroCore is concerned, fluoride release is supposed to be due to an admixture of sodium fluoride as shown in FluoroShield [Cooley et , 1990.…”

“…Fluoride released from restorations is a clinically available and safe method because fluoride increases the acid resistance of the adjacent tooth and exerts a cariostatic effect [Skartveit et al, 1990;Forss and Seppä, 1990;Griffin et al, 1992;Mukai et al, 1993;ten Cate and Van Duinen, 1995]. As a result the addition of fluoride to a number of filling materials has been investigated [Bitner and Wei, 1973; Forsten, 1976;Swartz et al, 1976]. Recently, resin composites have been selected as restorative materials and the release of fluoride from these materials evaluated [Dijkman and Arends, 1992;Dijkman et al, 1993;Donly and Gomez, 1994;Kawai et al, 1997].…”

“…At first fluoride was incorporated into the resin by simply mixing the fluoride compound in the resin composite. The fluoride compounds readily decomposed by dissolution into an aqueous phase (saliva) resulting in a significant decrease in their physical properties with time [Swartz et al, 1976;Cooley et al, 1990]. Thus, manufacturers have tried to develop not a fluoride-mixture but a true fluoridereleasing composite which does not show any degradation for a long period of time.…”

Cariostatic Mechanisms of Fluorides: Clinical Observations

“…There have been positive reports from in vitro tests with fluoride containing resins or F pretreatment of the enamel [Dogon et al, 1971;Swartz et al, 1974], but clinical data are still scarce.…”

Transition of Fluoride into Tooth Substance from Sustained Fluoride-Releasing Sealant - In vitro Evaluation -

“…Later as an improved material for prevention of caries, sealant material releasing fluoride and preventing caries chemically has been developed. Although addition of fluoride into sealant goes back to past as many as 25 years ago 8) , physical protection of tooth and inhibition of bacterial activity such as S.mutans, which is one of main bacteria responsible for caries, by sustained fluoride-releasing sealant have also been reported. And reports mentioning flowing of fluoride into oral cavity through saliva and uptaking into tooth substance through contact surfaces of tooth have also been published 9) .…”