In vitro characterization of visible light-cured glass ionomer liners

The purpose of this study was to characterize the in vitro performance of three visible light-cured glass ionomer liners. The liners containing 2-HEMA showed significantly higher compressive strength, diametral tensile strength and Vickers hardness than the liner without 2-HEMA. Statistically significant differences were found in the optical properties of the materials tested. The liners containing 2-HEMA manifested higher shear strength at liner/composite than at dentin/liner interfaces. The acid-base reaction was significantly delayed after light exposure in all the liners tested. The liner without 2-HEMA presented the greatest maximum gap at the liner/dentin interface. Significant correlations were detected between the optical properties of the liners and the top-bottom differences in the extent of conversion, as well as between the maximum marginal gap at the dentin/liner interface and the bond strength with dentin and composite. These correlations suggest the following areas for further developments: incorporation of low molecular weight polyalkenoic acids or accelerating agents to increase the initial carboxylate yield, increase in total transmittance and reduction in diffuse reflectance to improve the in-depth conversion, and reinforcement of the dentin liner interface to prevent gap formation.