Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate F release from an intraoral fluoride releasing device (IFRD), enamel uptake of F from IFRD and the acid solubility of enamel treated by IFRD. The IFRD used in this study was a membranecontrolled, reservoir-type device and was made at Southern Research Technologies in Birmingham, Ala. Enamel slabs were prepared from human permanent premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons.
The following results were obtained.
1) There was a gradual increase during the first 5 days. However, after the first 5 days the rate of F release was negligible over the test period. Over a test period of 90 days, the average rate of F release was 52.2μg/day.
2) The uptake was higher in the enamel immersed with the IFRD for 30 days compared to the control. The F concentrations in the 2nd and 3rd enamel layers increased markedly.
3) The least amount of dissolved Ca was found when IFRD was used both before and during exposure to acid (reduction rate: 64.1%). A greater amount of dissolved Ca was observed when the IFRD was used only before exposure to acid (reduction rate: 55.4%). The greatest amount of dissolved Ca occurred. when the IFRD was used only during exposure to acid and not before (reduction rate: 18.2%).
