Date of Graduation

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

School of Dentistry

Department

Orthodontics

Committee Chair

John Thomas

Committee Member

Peter Ngan

Committee Member

Elizabeth Kao

Committee Member

Brigitta Brown

Abstract

Decalcification around brackets is a problem associated with plaque accumulation trapping caries producing bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacilli acidophilus. The aim of this study was to measure 1)the concentration of fluoride released from three sealants: Protection TM Plus, Maximum Cure®, TransbondTM XT, and a glass ionomer, GC Fuji II 2) fluoride release of materials recharged with topical fluoride, 3) the ability of materials to inhibit SM, and 4) the degradation of materials by SM. A significant difference was found in fluoride released over 28 days between the four groups. There was no significant difference in the fluoride released among five samples of each material. Recharging sealants with 2.0% neutral sodium fluoride gel or 2.59% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel released larger quantities of fluoride than the original product. A significant difference in fluoride release between all four materials following APF and neutral NaF gel treatments. There was no macroscopic inhibition of SM growth from the three sealant materials. There was a 5mm inhibition of SM by the glass ionomer material. There was no evidence to support that SM could use the materials as a carbon source. Although the fluoride released during the first 24 hours was high and different for each sealant, the fluoride mechanism of actions is not dependent upon inhibiting SM viability.

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