Uptake of zinc and fluoride by several dentin components.

The uptake of zinc released from ZOE and Dispersalloy, and fluoride from ChemFil by different components of dentin was studied in vitro. These materials were placed over a 500-micron layer of the dentin fraction in a simulated cavity, and the zinc and fluoride levels in the fraction and underlying solution determined after 7 days. Parallel studies were also carried out in which these components, alone in simulated cavities, were placed over solutions containing different concentrations of zinc and fluoride and the uptake determined after 24 h. Zinc uptake was considerably greater by the inorganic than the organic fractions used in this study. Uptake from ZOE was disproportionately higher than from Dispersalloy presumably reflecting the fact that the zinc in ZOE is more loosely bound. In addition the high zinc levels in collagen beneath this material may be attributed to the binding of the eugenol component. In contrast fluoride uptake was generally highest by the organic fractions with relatively low uptake by the inorganic fractions which is in contrast to previous studies. Uptake of zinc and fluoride from solution by these fractions was consistent with these findings. Thus zinc is more strongly bound by the inorganic and fluoride by the organic fractions of dentin.