Background: Fluoride-releasing restorative materials act as fluoride reservoirs delivering fluoride to nearby tooth structures and absorbing fluoride from surrounding or external sources. This trait is desirable in caries prevention and eradication. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the fluoride release and recharge capability of a novel glass hybrid material (Equia Forte Fil) with and without a resin coat (Equia Forte Coat). Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 68 freshly exfoliated or extracted (for orthodontic purposes) sound primary molars. Standardized buccal class V cavities were prepared in all teeth and then restored with Equia Forte Fil according to manufacturer’s instructions. The samples were randomly allocated into two groups (n=34). Group I [Experimental] (n=34): teeth restored with Equia Forte Fil in addition toEquia Forte Coat. Group II [Control](n=34): teeth restored with Equia Forte Fil only. The samples were immersed in 5ml artificial saliva and fluoride release was evaluated on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days using fluorine ion-specific electrode. After 28 days, each group was further divided into 2 subgroups (n=17). Subgroup A [Experimental (n=17): Treated with Enamel Pro Varnish. Subgroup B[Control](n=17): received no fluoride treatment. The amount of fluoride re-release was measured at the same time intervals. Data was analyzed using Independent t test, Repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni test. R Significance level was set at P≤0.05. Results: There was a statistically significant difference (P≤0.0001) in fluoride release and recharge between the 2 groups, where Group IIdrastically released more fluoride. Time had a significant effect on fluoride release within subgroups IA and IIA on specific days, as the amount of fluoride progressively decreased throughout the study.As for subgroups IB and IIB data was constant. Conclusions: The application of the nano-filled resin coat had a dramatic effect in reducing fluoriderelease and recharge capabilities of Equia Forte Fil.
