THERMO-CURED GLASS IONOMER CEMENTS IN RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

Numerous positive properties of glass ionomer cementsincluding biocompatibility, bioactivity, releasing of fluorideand good adhesion to hard dental tissue even under wetconditions and easy of handling are reasons for theirwide use in paediatric and restorative dentistry. Theirbiggest drawbacks are the weaker mechanical properties.An important step forward in improving GIC’s featuresis thermo-curing with the dental polymerization unitduring setting of the material. Due to their slow settingcharacteristics the GIC is vulnerable to early exposureto moisture. After thermo curing, cements retain all thebenefits of GIC with developed better mechanical properties,improved marginal adaptation, increased microhardness andshear bond strength. Adding external energy through thermocuringor ultrasound during the setting of conventional GICis crucial to achieve faster and better initial mechanicalproperties. Further clinical studies are needed to confirmthese findings.