Fluoride release from varnish-coated silicates and from cavity liners and fissure sealants

— The fluoride release of varnish-coated silicates and liners and sealants was studied by measuring the uptake of the released fluoride by synthetic hydroxyapatite. Silicate specimens were made and coated with cavity varnish. The specimens were shaken in solution with the apatite for 7 weeks. The apatite was analyzed for fluoride each week and the specimens were then transferred to a fresh solution with new apatite. The varnish reduced the fluoride release during the first three weeks, but after that time the release from the varnish-coated specimens was the same as that from the uncoated specimens. The release from the liners and sealants was studied by coating composite resin specimens with the material. The resin contained no fluoride. The specimens were shaken in solution with apatite and the fluoride uptake was measured each week in the same manner as for the silicate specimens. The liners showed an initial release of fluoride. When the two different sealants were applied as two layers, only one of the brands showed initial release of fluoride. Five layers of sealant resulted in an initial release from both brands.