Studies on dental fluoride-releasing polymers. IV: Fluoridation of human enamel by fluoride-containing sealant.

An experimental fluoride-containing acrylic sealant was prepared using methacryloyl fluoride-methyl methacrylate copolymer as powder component. The in vitro fluoride acquisition by human enamel coated with the sealant after 11, 21, 41 and 84 days of incubation in a phosphate buffer of pH7 at 37 degrees C was determined. Fluoride penetration and uptake were increased by prolonging the exposure time of enamel to the sealant. Most of the fluoride retained in enamel was found to be present as fluorapatite. The discharge of fluoride in the sealant was about 12% of initial load after 84 days of immersion.