GLASS IONOMER CEMENT

Catur Septommy
Conventional GIC
 Glass ionomers, invented in the 1970s, combine the
technologies and chemistry of silicate and zinc
polycarboxylate materials so as to incorporate the
desirable characteristics of both
The original systems have undergone several
modifications, but all conventional glass ionomers have
the following essential components:
1. Polycarboxylic acid
2. Fluoroaluminosilicate (FAS) glass
3. Water
4. Tartaric acid
 Tartaric acid is added to control the working and
setting characteristics of the material.
 All carboxylic acids have a common organic
functional group denoted by COOH.
 In the presence of water, the COOH group
undergoes partial ionization to yield a carboxylate
anion COO¯ and a hydrated proton, H3O+
 The hydrated proton attacks the surface of the glass
particles releasing calcium and aluminum ions.
 The carboxylate ions from the polymer react with
these metallic ions to form a salt bridge, resulting in
gelation and setting.
The principal substrate (adherends), enamel, and dentin are hydrated,
hydrophilic, and permeable to water
Influence Water on setting GIC
 Water plays several important roles in the overall
setting GIC.
 First, it provides for the ion transport needed for the
acid base setting reaction and fluoride release.
 Second, a portion of the water is also chemically
bound in the set complex and provides stability to
the restorative material.
 Water also provides plasticity during the
manipulative stages.
Resin Modified GIC
 To create a longer working time yet quick setting
time so that immediate finishing can take place, the
concept of resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) was
introduced in the late 1980s.
 this methacrylate components are added in limited
amounts so a photo-initiated and/or redox curing
reaction of the double bonds can also occur
 Free radical initiators are added to trigger the
curing of the methacrylate groups.
 liquid is formulated with a mixture of hydrophilic
methacrylate monomers and water
 The FAS glass of the resin-modified glass ionomer
systems is similar in composition to the glasses
described for conventional glass ionomers,
Nano GIC
 The latest advancement in resin-modified glass
ionomers is the nanoionomer available commercially
since 2007
 Like all RMGIs, it has an aqueous component with a
polycarboxylic acid and water-miscible
methacrylate monomers
 The addition of nanoparticles improves the
polishability and the optical characteristics of the
cured ionomer
Clinical Applications of Glass Ionomers

 for a variety of restorative applications,

particularly in situations of high caries activity or
where caries are likely to recurent
 The main clinical indications are for small lesions
(longterm non-stress-bearing restorations in
permanent teeth, interim restoration in permanent
teeth, and in the atraumatic restoration technique
[ART])
 for a technique known as sandwiching, layering or
stratification, in which a resin composite is bonded
over a base of the glass ionomer.
 Resin-modified glass ionomers are often the
material of choice for pediatric restorations and
preventive applications (direct filling as well as core
build-up)
Properties of Glass Ionomers
 The physical and mechanical properties of GIs are
lower than that of composite resins
 The physical properties of the RMGIs, including
wear resistance and dimensional stability, are
improved over the conventional counterparts
 as liner or as the base in sandwich restorations
under resin compositescan relieve the stress
associated with the polymerization shrinkage of the
latter
 good insulation against thermal shock, particularly
when used as liners and bases.
 Fluoride Ion Release and Uptake
Fluoride Ion Release and Uptake

 particularly beneficial characteristic of glass

ionomers, conventional or resin modified, is that
these materials act as a reservoir of fluoride ions.
 The fluoride is released by an ion-exchange
mechanism from these materials.
Adhesion GIC
 Glass ionomer materials have good clinical
adhesion to tooth structure
 etching of the enamel or dentin surface by
phosphoric acid is not needed
 Preconditioning of the tooth surface is
recommended for some products, especially those
with high powder-liquid ratio to ensure good
wetting
One of the following procedures is used for
the pretreatment

 The cavity surface is conditioned using 10% to 20%

polyacrylic acid for 10 seconds, washed well to
remove the conditioner and surface debris, and
dried.
 For some resin-modified glass ionomer restoratives
(identified by manufacturers as primer or self-
conditioner), a dilute polycarboxylic acid based
solution is applied on the cavity surface and set
through light.