Fluoridated elastomers: in vivo versus in vitro fluoride release

OBJECTIVES: To compare (i) the in vivo release of fluoride from fluoridated elastomers to the in vitro release, and (ii) the residual fluoride content of the elastomers after 1 week in the mouth with and without fluoride toothpaste and mouthrinse. DESIGN: A prospective, longitudinal, cross-over study. Subjects and method: Six subjects were recruited by poster to take part in the study. Each subject had one premolar in each quadrant to which a bracket could be fixed and exemplary oral hygiene. Elastomers were then placed on these brackets. Intervention: The study was divided into two parts: (i) subjects used oral hygiene products with fluoride and (ii) oral hygiene products with fluoride were excluded. Both groups of elastomers were left in the mouth for 1 week. After collection the elastomers were stored in distilled water. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The amount of residual fluoride in the ligatures after they have been placed in the mouth for 1 week was compared with the cumulative fluoride release in vitro over 1 week and 6 months. RESULTS: Only 13 per cent of the total amount of fluoride in fluoridated elastomers was released during the first week in vitro, compared with 90 per cent in vivo. There was a significantly greater amount (P = 0.001) of residual fluoride when the elastomers were in the mouth for 1 week in the presence of fluoride toothpaste and mouthrinse, than when fluoride supplements were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Higher levels of fluoride are lost from the fluoride elastomers in vivo than in vitro during the first week. (2) A significantly greater amount of residual fluoride was released from the elastomers placed in the mouth when fluoride toothpaste and mouthrinse were used.