Effect of a neutral citrate solution on the fluoride release of conventional restorative glass ionomer cements

The fluoride release process is due not only to a loss of relatively loosely bound fluoride in the cement matrix, but also to the release of strongly bounded fluoride inducing a long-term fluoride release. The effect of citrate on the fluoride release process may increase depending on the acid (polyacrylic acid versus copolymers of polyacrylic acid) used for the polysalt formation in the hardening cement. Depending on the competition between the polyacrylate anion and the citrate anion for the metal cation extraction the fluoride release process may be retarded.