Clinical and microbiologic evaluation of a resin modified glass ionomer cement for orthodontic bonding

This study evaluated the clinical performance of a new resin modified glass ionomer cement, Geristore (Den-Mat Corp., Santa Maria, Calif.), for the bonding of orthodontic brackets and its effect on certain caries-associated microorganisms. This cement has been shown to possess increased mechanical properties and long-term fluoride release. There were 716 brackets bonded in 40 patients (17 males and 23 females), with a split-mouth technique and a composite resin, Phase II (Reliance, Itasca, III.), as a control. Bond failures were recorded up to 1 year. Plaque scores and plaque samples were taken from the area of the bonding adhesive in 20 patients, before, at 1 week, and 5 months after the placement of brackets. The plaque samples were investigated for the presence of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli. The overall bond failure rate was found to be 8.9% for Geristore and 3.1% for Phase II (p < 0.05). Labially, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in bond failure rate: 3.8% for Geristore and 1.7% for Phase II. The proportions of S. mutans and lactobacilli in plaque taken from around Geristore cement were reduced at 1 week and 5 months, when compared with Phase II resin, and this reduction was statistically significant (p < 0.05) at 1 week. Results of this study suggest that Geristore may be of use in the labial segments, especially in caries prone patients, in whom demineralization at debond may present an esthetic and restorative problem several years after treatment.