Aims: The study aims to directly measure uptake of Na and F ions by glass ionomer cement from dilute NaF solution and compare this with the subsequent re-release of these ions into water. In addition, the effect of the presence or absence of Na and/or F as a component of the glass is evaluated. Materials and methods: The four glass ionomers used differed only in glass composition; AH2 contained both Na and F, LG26 contained F, MP4 contained Na and LG30 contained neither Na nor F. Discs of cement were set in moulds at 37 degrees C for 1 h and matured in water at 37 degrees C for 3 days. Test discs were immersed in 0.2% NaF solution for 24 h, control discs in water. Discs were subsequently immersed in water which was changed regularly. Ion-selective electrode measurements (F and Na) and atomic absorption spectrometry (Na) were used to determine uptake (change in immersion solution concentration) and re-release into water. Results: All cements took up large quantities of Na and F ions (range 95-336 mu mol g(-1)). This resulted in internal ion concentrations from 16 to 56 times higher than the immersing solution. All re-release was complete within 97 days. No cement re-released more ion than taken up. Glass ionomers containing fluoride took up more Na and F than fluoride-free ones and then re-released a lower percentage of these ions. The cements all took up Na and F ions in equimolar proportions, but initially re-released more F than Na with F-free cement results tending to unity by 97 days. Conclusions: Glass ionomer cements take up Na and F ions from NaF solution in large quantities and in equimolar proportion. This is re-released either wholly or in part in 97 days by which time the release does not differ from the controls. The presence or absence of F in the cement composition markedly influences both uptake and re-release. Fluoride/hydroxyl interchange does not appear to play an important role in uptake. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
