Application of glass ionomer cements in restorative dentistry

Dentistry was marked with radical changes in clinical restorative procedures. If the inherent characteristic of the ionomer cement was examined, it becomes very clear to the researcher as well as the dentist, that no other material has had an impact as comparable to glass ionomer cements on restorative dentistry. This scientific paper highlights the clinical applications of the cement in restorative dentistry. Glass ionomer cements are bioactive, by forming permanent adhesive bonds to dentin and enamel which enables them to prevent the development of secondary caries by providing an impermeable seal against the intrusion of oral fluids and other caries producing agents. The hydrophilic nature of the cement also makes them susceptible to the action of aqueous fluids before they are fully set, requiring that the freshly placed restoration be protected by varish, petroleum jelly or a low viscosity photo polymerizing bonding agent.