Glass ionomer-composite sandwich technique

Glass ionomer cement characteristics of biological acceptability, fluoride release, dentin bondability, and marginal integrity are excellent; at the same time, they have always been regarded as secondary choices for anterior and posterior restorations. Slow set, brittleness, poor finishability, lack of translucency, and the technique-sensitive nature of the glass ionomers hardly compare with the composite resins which are easier to handle, polishable, and esthetically acceptable. The combined ionomer-composite restoration provides a reliable chemical bond to dentin, micromechanical bonding of the composite to ionomer surface, and an acceptable esthetic result.