Fluoride release from light-activated glass ionomer restorative cements.

Fluoride release from four light-activated glass ionomer cements, including newly developed restorative cements, was evaluated and compared with four conventional acid-base glass ionomer cements. There was no significant difference between the group of light-activated cements and the group of conventional cements, and light-activated cements were found to have a potential for releasing fluoride equivalent to that of conventional cements. The amount and rate of release varied among cements. It may be affected not only by the formation of complex fluoride compounds and their interaction with polyacrylic acid but also by the type and amount of resin used for the photochemical polymerization reaction.