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Resin modified glass-ionomers: strength, cure depth and translucency
G J Mount1, C Patel, O F Makinson
1The University of Adelaide. gjmount@ozemail.com.au
Australian Dental Journal
|February 18, 2003
Summary
Resin-modified glass-ionomers exhibit enhanced strength when cured with irradiation. Proper incremental placement is crucial for deep cavities to ensure adequate light-cured polymerization and optimal material properties.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Three resin-modified glass-ionomers (RMGI) were evaluated, combining acid-base and light-cured polymerization reactions.
- RMGI materials are designed to retain glass-ionomer's adhesive properties while incorporating a polymerizable monomer.
- A dual-curing mechanism ensures monomer polymerization through both irradiation and inherent chemical reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of irradiation on the mechanical strength, depth of cure, and translucency of RMGI materials.
- To compare the properties of RMGI materials cured solely by acid-base reaction versus those subjected to irradiation.
Main Methods:
- Shear punch strength tests were performed on specimens with and without irradiation.
- Depth of cure was assessed using ISO 4049:2000(E) standards immediately after specimen construction.
- Translucency was evaluated to determine variations based on curing method (irradiation vs. acid-base alone).
Main Results:
- Irradiation significantly increased the strength of all tested RMGI materials.
- Depth of cure demonstrated dependence on material shade and irradiation duration.
- Irradiated specimens showed only a minor increase in translucency compared to non-irradiated controls.
Conclusions:
- Irradiation enhances the mechanical strength of resin-modified glass-ionomers.
- Incremental placement of RMGI materials is recommended for cavities exceeding 3 mm in depth.
- This technique ensures complete light-initiated polymerization for optimal clinical performance.
