Short‐ and long‐term fluoride release from glass ionomers and other fluoride‐containing filling materials in vitro

Test specimens of seven different glass ionomer filling materials and one fissure sealant were exposed to running water for 2 yr. One amalgam and one composite, both containing fluoride, were included for comparison. The fluoride release from the specimens was measured periodically after storing the specimens for 24 h or 1 wk in a small amount of water. The fluoride release from the glass ionomers decreased with time and a constant level was reached for most products during the 2-yr period. The release was increased by lowering the pH of the storage solution. The release from the glass ionomers was clearly greater than from the amalgam and the composite.