ABSTRACT

Background: Glass ionomer cements (GICs) have unique qualities that make them ideal for luting applications and as restorative materials. Anti-cariogenic effect due to fluoride release, being thermally compatible with tooth enamel and low toxicity are all significant properties. However, the inferior mechanical performance of GICs has hampered their usage in mechanically demanding situations. Poor properties such as low fracture strength and wear limit their use as a filler material in stress-bearing applications. Therefore, they are commonly used as temporary filling material in the posterior dental region. The need to strengthen those cements has resulted in a surge in research on reinforcement and strengthening.

Study Design and Method: One hundred school-going children between 6 to 10 years of age who had decay in their primary or permanent molars were selected for this study. The teeth were assessed for restorability and if possible were accordingly filled.  Follow up was done after 6 months to assess the clinical integrity and cario-static action of the filling. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16 standard version.

Result: GIC is a reasonable choice of filling material in school going children.

Conclusion: Because of its ease of usage and exceptional biocompatibility among direct restoratives, GIC is preferred restorative materials. However, because of their brittleness, they can't be used as a permanent filling material in the load-bearing posterior region in adults.

Keywords: glass ionomer cement; strength; wear; micro-Leakage; Temporary Filling; Time; clinical restoration