In Vitro Fluoride-Release/Recharge Pattern and Antimicrobial Effects of Current Restorative Materials Used in Pediatric Dentistry

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the fluo-ride-releasing/recharging and antimicrobial effects of restorative materials used in pediatric dentistry. Material and Method: High-viscosity and resin-modified glass-iono-mer cement, glass carbomer, compomer, giomer and composite were tested. Dental materials’ fluoride-release was measured in distilled water (DW) and artificial saliva (AS) for eight weeks using a fluoride-spe-cific electrode. At the end of eight weeks, specimens were divided into three groups for recharging with acidulated phosphate fluoride gel and fluoride varnish. After recharge, fluoride release was measured again. Agar diffusion test was used to assess antimicrobial effects against S. mutans and L. acidophilus. The statistical analysis was done with Mann-Whitney U and Friedman tests using SPSS-22 software. Results: High-viscosity glass-ionomer cement showed the highest fluoride-release in both storage media, followed by glass carbomer, while giomer demonstrated the lowest. After recharge, the increase in the varnish group was significantly higher than others (p<0.05). Fluoride-release in DW groups was significantly higher than in the AS groups for all materials during the test period (p<0.05). None of the materials showed antimicrobial effects. Conclusion: It was concluded that fluoride-release from glass iono-mer-based materials is higher than that from resin-based materials. Fluoride-release from materials decreases in AS. Glass carbomer can be used as an alternative to glass ionomers.