Decay-inhibiting restorative materials: past and present

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Cariology
• Restorative Dentistry

Background:

• Glass-ionomer cements and compomers exhibit distinct fluoride release and setting behaviors.
• Distinguishing between composite resins, compomers, and glass-ionomer cements is challenging due to resin and acid modifications, despite reported fluoride release.
• Optimal fluoride release is influenced by numerous oral environment factors and restoration integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review fluoride release and anticariogenicity of dental restorative materials.
• To utilize silicate cement as a model for understanding secondary caries prevention.
• To compare newer dental materials to silicate cement for predicting decay inhibition.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of fluoride release and anticariogenicity studies.
• Analysis of restorative material properties, focusing on setting reactions and hydration.
• Comparison of newer materials' behavior against the established model of silicate cement.

Main Results:

• Silicate cements demonstrate a well-defined mechanism for preventing secondary caries.
• In vitro and in vivo studies suggest materials mimicking silicate cement's setting and hydration properties are effective decay inhibitors.
• Clinical outcomes are currently the most reliable measure for assessing decay inhibition in dental restoratives.

Conclusions:

• Silicate cements serve as a benchmark for anticariogenic properties.
• Predicting decay inhibition in new dental restoratives requires comparison with silicate cement's behavior.
• Clinicians should prioritize clinical outcomes for evaluating the anticariogenic efficacy of restorative materials.