Fluoride release and antibacterial properties of new-generation tooth-colored restoratives

The aim of this study was to compare the amounts and pattern of fluoride re lease and antibacterial properties of new-generation restoratives over a 35 -day period. Materials evaluated included fluoride-releasing composites (Te tric, Experimental X), compomers (Dyract, Compoglass), and a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (Fuji IILC). A conventional glass ionomer (Fuji II Ca p) was used as a control for fluoride-release testing. Five samples of each restorative material were evaluated for daily fluoride release over a 35-d ay period by means of ion chromatography. Ranking of materials from least t o greatest total fluoride release over 35 days was as follows: Tetric < Exp erimental X < Dyract < Fuji II LC < Compoglass < Fuji II Cap. Fuji II Cap h ad significantly greater fluoride release than all other materials evaluate d. FujiII Cap, Fuji II LC, and Compoglass had similar patterns of fluoride release characterized by a high initial release that was many times that re leased later. The fluoride-releasing composites evaluated stopped releasing fluoride by day 14. Antibacterial testing was conducted using the agar dif fusion inhibitory test. Five samples of each restorative were assessed at b aseline and weekly intervals up to 35 days. The microorganisms used were La ctobacillus casei, Streptococcus mutans, and Streprococcus sobrinus. IRM, a zinc oxide/eugenol cement, was used as the baseline control. None of the r estorative materials evaluated affected the growth oft casei, S sobrinus, o r S mutans at all time periods including baseline, where fluoride was detec ted in the agar beneath the specimen disks. There was no correlation noted between fluoride-release potential and antibacterial properties.