[Uptake of fluoride into enamel and its effect on acid resistance by application of fluoride-releasing sealant--Part 2. Effect of application time and immersion time into buffer after its removal].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the amount of fluoride in the enamel, taken from a fluoride-releasing sealant (F + sealant) and acid resistance. The F + sealant was applied to the bovine enamel from 1 week to 6 months. After the removal of the F + sealant, the bovine teeth were immersed in phosphate buffer from 1 month to 6 months. At each time period, the enamel was biopsied with acid and its fluoride and calcium concentration were analyzed. Results were as follows: (1) It was suitable to immerse the teeth in 1M KOH solution for 2 days in order to remove the loosely bound fluoride produced by the fluoride application from the enamel. (2) The amount of fluoride in the surface enamel increased in proportion to the application time of F + sealant. (3) The amount of calcium dissolved from the enamel showed the significant decrease by the F + sealant application, while no difference was shown by the application time. (4) The amount of fluoride in the surface enamel acquired by the F + sealant was maintained for 6 months after the removal of the F + sealant. (5) The amount of calcium dissolved from the enamel showed no difference in the period of immersion time.