Caries inhibition of glass ionomers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate caries inhibition, comparing a new light-cured glass ionomer liner (Photac-Bond) to the chemically-cured Ketac-Bond, using a non-fluoride releasing linear (Pertac Universal Bond) as the control. Two standardized Class V preparations were placed in 30 permanent molars, the gingival margin placed below the cementoenamel junction. Equal numbers of preparations were restored with liners of Photac-Bond, Ketac-Bond and Pertac Universal Bond, according to the manufacturer's instructions. All teeth were subjected to an artificial caries challenge (pH 4.2) for 5 days, the teeth were sectioned, photographed under polarized light microscopy, and demineralized areas adjacent to the restoration margins were quantitated. Results demonstrated the mean (+/- S.D.) area (micron 2) demineralization 100 microns from the restoration gingival margin to be: Ketac-Bond 12.2 x 10(3) +/- 6.7 x 10(3); Photac-Bond 9.7 x 10(3) +/- 3.6 x 10(3); Pertac Universal Bond 22.3 x 10(3) +/- 8.2 x 10(3). Duncan's multiple range test indicated there was no statistically significant difference in demineralization inhibition comparing Ketac-Bond and Photac-Bond, yet both of these glass ionomer preparations demonstrated significantly less demineralization than the non-fluoride releasing Pertac Universal Bond control linear (P < 0.05).