RESUMO
PURPOSE: This study was performed to study the pattern of fluoride release from glass ionomer cement, a resin modified glass ionomer cement, a compomer and a composite resin when stored in different storage media. METHODS: A total of 60 samples (Tablets of diameter 8.6 ± 0.1 mm and thickness 1.65 ± 0.1 mm) were prepared (15 samples for each material) pertaining to 4 different materials used. Five samples of each material were suspended in 4 ml of each studied solution. The studied media were deionized water, artificial saliva and solutions for pH-cycling (demineralizing solution pH 4.3 and remineralizing solution pH 7.0). The total experimental period was fifteen days the readings were taken after day 1, day 2, day 5, day 9 and day 15 using ORION fluoride ion specific electrode. RESULTS: Significant variations were found in the amount of fluoride release from all the materials in different storage media. Glass ionomer cement released significantly higher amounts of fluoride (p < 0.001) in all storage media. The difference between composite resin and other materials was also very significant (p 0.001) where composite resin released very less fluoride in all the media. CONCLUSION: From this study it was concluded that the greatest amount of fluoride release was from ART glass ionomer cement in all the media followed by resin modified glass ionomer cement, compomer and composite resin in decreasing order. The pattern of fluoride release was similar for all the examined materials. Maximum amount of fluoride release was observed in pH cycling model for all the materials followed by deionized water and artificial saliva in decreasing order. With this it can be concluded that pH strongly affects fluoride release from dental restorative materials.