FLUORIDE RELEASE FROM 3 GLASS IONOMER MATERIALS AND THE EFFECTS OF VARNISHING WITH OR WITHOUT FINISHING

The release rates of fluoride from discs made from three glass ionomer products, Miracle Mix (MM), Ketac-Silver (KS) and Ketac-Bond (KB), into artificial saliva for 3 weeks were determined. The discs were either not varnished, varnished or varnished and finished. The release rates were not proportional to the fluoride concentrations of the products and were ordered: MM > KB > KS. The rates declined sharply as a function of time regardless of the product or treatment. Varnishing the discs caused a reduction of 61-76% depending on the product. Finishing the varnished discs produced a significant increase in the fluoride release from MM but had no effect on the release from KS or KB. In a separate study with MM, it was determined that the release rate of fluoride was inversely proportional to the powder: liquid ratio used to prepare the discs.