The effect of glaze on restorative glass-ionomer cements

The surface texture changes of three kinds of glass-ionomer cements were compared with various glazed and polished cement surfaces after the initial finishing. Method 1--the glazing agent--was used, and method 2 consisted of four different Shofu Super Snap discs. In method 3 specimens were compressed with a glass plate. The glazed and polished surfaces were used for investigating various properties such as the surface roughness, colour change, gloss, hardness, toothbrush wear, and were also subject to SEM (scanning electron microscope) observation in the laboratory. The period of 48 h after mixing was chosen for the various testing data. The smoothest surface was formed after compression with a glass plate, however, the glazing agent gave the highest gloss surface for glass-ionomer cement. The lower roughness generally observed was for glazing compared to polishing. The glazed surface is effective as a glass-ionomer cement restoration.