title: In vitro evaluation of the effects of a fluoride-releasing composite on enamel demineralization around brackets.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a fluoride-releasing bonding agent in inhibiting enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets after the exposure to a demineralizing solution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six extracted upper molars were bonded with two different composites: Transbond XT (TXT) and Transbond Plus (TPlus), fluoride-releasing (both 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA). The samples were exposed to an acid lactic solution for three days and then subjected to Metallographic Optical Microscope (MOM) and Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM/EDX) analyses. Enamel surface was examined in different areas: un-treated, etched and primer-painted, un-treated area with no acid exposure, central area with bracket bonded. The maximum demineralization depths and the fluoride content at 100, 200 and 300 μm depth were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MOM analysis showed statistically significant (p<0.001) differences in demineralization depth for TPlus group compared to TXT group with lower values for the first one. EDX analysis confirmed the presence of fluoride in TPlus group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fluoride content of TPlus appeared able to weakly reduce the enamel demineralization.
authors.affiliation: Orthodontics Unit, Department of Oral Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zanarini
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pazzi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonetti
authors.forename: Oddone
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ruggeri
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alessandri Bonetti
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prati
mesh_terms: D000134:Acid Etching, Dental / Q000379:methods; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002326:Cariogenic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004058:Diffusion; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002326:Cariogenic Agents; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003188:Composite Resins; D019279:Resin Cements; C429625:Transbond Plus Self-Etching Primer; C477790:Transbond XT; D014867:Water; D010758:Phosphorus; D019344:Lactic Acid; D005459:Fluorides; D002118:Calcium