Patel, MangalaKarpukhina, NataliaAlaqil, Faten Essam2026-03-022026https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14154/78357Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) are inorganic lamellar structures that can act as systems for absorbing and releasing anions repeatedly. Their biocompatibility, anion exchange capacity and compositional tunability make them promising candidates for controlled and sustained delivery of cariostatic ions, particularly in orthodontic patients. Given the ongoing challenge of preventing dental caries, especially for patients wearing orthodontic brackets, it is essential to have innovative materials like LDHs for sustained anti-caries ions delivery. This study explores LDHs for sustained release of fluoride and monoflurophosphate ions. The latter offers dual delivery of fluoride and phosphate, which is regulated by the local concentration of alkaline phosphatase enzyme in the oral environment, to enhance remineralisation. Two LDH types (2:1 ZnAl and MgAl) were synthesised and charged with 0.012 M sodium fluoride (NaF) or sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP). LDHs were characterised before and after anion intercalation using X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Ion release was evaluated over three charging/release cycles in deionised water using fluoride Ion Selective Electrodes (ISEs) for fluoride, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for phosphate and cations (Zn, Mg and Al). Results showed sustained fluoride release, with MgAl-LDH releasing more anions than ZnAl- LDH. NaF-charged LDHs released more fluoride, while MFP-charged LDHs additionally released phosphate. Cation release was higher in MFP-charged LDHs. Charged LDHs were incorporated into light-curable adhesive resin (AR) and tested for fluoride release over 10 days using fluoride ISEs. Degree of conversion (DC), water uptake, desorption and solubility were also assessed. LDH incorporation did not affect DC and enabled sustained fluoride release above recommended caries-prevention levels. AR-containing-LDH showed more water uptake (~13%) and desorption than control samples (without LDH, ~10%), however, all samples demonstrated low solubility. These findings underscore LDHs as versatile nanocrystals for developing multifunctional dental materials, offering sustained cariostatic effects for caries prevention.307en-USLayered Double Hydroxides (LDHs)Dental MaterialsFluoride ReleaseSodium Monofluorophosphate (MFP)Sodium FluorideOrthodontic AdhesivesRemineralisationThesis