Glass Ionomer Cements

Glass ionomer cements are a restorative dental material used for filling teeth and securing crowns, bridges, onlays and other dental appliances inside the mouth while also providing fluoride release. These cements combine a silicate glass powder and an ionomer which can be an acid in order to create the bond between the restoration and the natural tooth structure. Along with conventional glass ionomer cements, there are variations including resin-modified glass ionomer cements, hybrid ionomer cements, tri-cure glass ionomer and metal reinforced glass ionomer cements. Setting times vary between products and most are either self-cure or dual cure. There are a variety of options when choosing glass ionomer cements, and as with all dental materials, follow the manufacturer's instructions for use to obtain optimal outcomes.