FLUORIDE RELEASE FROM 4 VISIBLE-LIGHT-CURED ORTHODONTIC ADHESIVE RESINS

Decalcification of enamel during fixed orthodontic appliance treatment remains a problem. This study determined the in vitro fluoride (F) re lease from four light-cured orthodontic adhesives since cariostatic po tential of such adhesives is related to their F releasing ability. Two nonfluoride and two fluoride-containing adhesives were tested. By mea ns of the potentiometric analytical method, the F release of each resi n was determined daily for 7 days and thereafter weekly for a month an d then monthly until week 85. The data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wall is, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests. The F release of a ll the resins were characterized by an initial burst of F release duri ng the first day, followed by a tapering down in magnitude. FluorEver (MacroChem, Billerica, Mass.) outperformed the other adhesives in all aspects of F release and continued to release F for up to 85 weeks. Fl uorapatite formation resulting from F release from orthodontic adhesiv es could be more advantageous in reducing decalcification during fixed appliance treatment than other preventive modalities.