An In Vitro Study on the Comparative Assessment of Fluoride Release Capabilities of Three Types of Restorative Materials

Aims and background:This in vitro study aimed to compare the fluoride-releasing properties of three different restorative materials-GC type IX (conventional glass ionomer cement), Ionolux (resin-modified glass ionomer cement), and Cention N (alkasite material)-at multiple time intervals.Dental caries remains a prevalent global health issue, particularly among children.Fluoride-releasing restorative materials are widely used in pediatric dentistry due to their ability to inhibit demineralization and promote remineralization.Materials and methods: Thirty disk-shaped specimens (10 per group) were prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions and stored in deionized water.Fluoride ion release was measured using a fluoride ion-selective electrode at 5 intervals: 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days.Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni post hoc tests.Results: All three materials exhibited the highest fluoride release on the 7th day, followed by a decline.Cention N showed the greatest fluoride release overall, peaking significantly on day 7 (11.1 ppm).GC Fuji IX had a second peak on day 14, while Ionolux exhibited moderate but consistent fluoride release throughout the study period. Conclusion:Cention N released the highest amount of fluoride among the materials tested, indicating its strong potential for caries prevention.All materials demonstrated an initial burst release followed by a gradual decline, aligning with effective long-term fluoride delivery.The findings support the continued use of fluoride-releasing materials in minimally invasive pediatric restorative dentistry.Clinical significance: This study highlights that Cention N and Ionolux can offer handling and esthetic benefits.Effective and sustained fluoride release profiles, especially the initial high release followed by a controlled decline, support their use in minimally invasive and preventive dentistry.