Effect of topical fluoride applications on residual monomer release from resin-based restorative materials

Abstract

Background: It is unclear to effects of the topical fluorides applications that the release of monomer ingredients from resin-based dental materials by immersion in the various extraction solutions. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of topical fluorides (APF and NaF) on the elution of residual monomers (Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, UDMA, and HEMA) from resin-based materials. Methods: A total of 90 bulk-fill composite, nanohybrid universal composite, and compomer specimens were prepared. The specimens were randomly divided into three groups according to fluoride application procedures. Each specimens were kept in a 75% ethanol solution and residual monomers released from materials were analyzed with an High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) after 10 min, 1 h, 24 h and 30 d. The groups were compared using Mann Whitney U and Kruscall Wallis tests, and related measurements were analyzed with Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: Fluoride applications resulted in a reduction in the amount of residual monomer release generally. The amount of monomer release after topical APF application was similar to the release in the control group and was lower than the release in the NaF group. Conclusions: Fluoride applications do not increase monomer release from resin-based restorative materials. However, compomers should be preferred by clinicans due to their less monomer release than other restorative materials. The release of monomers from any of the resin-based materials did not approach toxic levels at the applied time intervals.