FDI STATEMENT
Fluoride in Restorative Materials
Adopted by the FDI General Assembly: 18th September
2003
Rationale
- The most common reason for the replacement of restorations is secondary
caries
- Ionic fluoride has an anti-caries activity, can alter the dynamics
of the caries process,
can modify the dental hard tissues and has an anti-microbial effect
- The effect of fluoride-releasing restorative materials on the incidence
of secondary caries
should therefore be further investigated.
Evidence
- Research has been carried out into the release of fluoride from glass-ionomer
and resin-
modified glass-ionomer cements, resin composites, polyacid-modified
resin composites
("compomers"), fissure sealants and amalgam
- There is substantially more laboratory-based research than clinical
research
- Comparisons between studies are hindered by the lack of common study
designs
- There is equivocal clinical evidence that there is less secondary
caries associated with
glass-ionomer cements than with other restorative materials
- There is negligible clinical evidence that other fluoride-releasing
materials are associated
with the inhibition of secondary caries
Future Research
- There is a need for long-term randomised controlled trials on the
effect of fluoride-
releasing materials on secondary caries
- There is a need for research to establish the dynamics of fluoride
release from such
materials
Clinical Significance
- When selecting a restorative material, all properties, including
fluoride release, should be
considered
- The success of a restoration depends not only on the choice of material,
but also on the
skill of the dentist and appropriate preventive measures, including
dietary counselling,
oral hygiene and exposure to fluoride
Main authors: Burke F M.Ray N J, McConnell R J
Submitted by: FDI Science Commission
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