Fluoride release from glass-ionomer cements in de-ionized water and artificial saliva.

Most of the data reported on the release of fluorides from glass-ionomer cements are based upon measurements made in de-ionized water. De-ionized water does not represent the complex chemistry of the oral environment. In this study, an artificial saliva solution was used, and the data on the fluoride ions released into it from four glass-ionomer cements were compared with those obtained in de-ionized water. The glass-ionomer cements used were: Ketac-Fil (ESPE), Ketac-Silver (ESPE), Fuji-II (GC), and Miracle Mix (GC). Ten disc samples (2 cm x 0.1 cm) of each cement were prepared. Each was individually suspended in either de-ionized water or artificial saliva (five samples in each medium) and stored for 24 h at 37 degrees C, then transferred to fresh media for a total of 60 days. Collected media were buffered with TISAB, and fluoride was measured by a specific electrode. Artificial saliva was prepared according to Fusayama et al. (1963). The data obtained showed that: (1) glass-ionomer cements released more fluoride in de-ionized water than in artificial saliva; (2) Ketac-Fil released 20% more fluoride in saliva than did Fuji-II, the latter releasing 49% more fluoride than Ketac-Fil in de-ionized water; and (3) conventional glass ionomers released more fluoride than did meta-reinforced ones in both media.