Glass ionomer cements were introduced in 1972 as tooth-colored restorative materials that bond chemically to dental tissues and release fluoride over time. They are classified into conventional, resin-modified, and metal-reinforced types. Glass ionomer cements set via an acid-base reaction between a fluoroaluminosilicate glass powder and an aqueous polyalkenoic acid liquid. They offer advantages like adhesion, fluoride release, and marginal sealing but are also brittle and soluble. Glass ionomer cements are used for luting, restorations, liners, fissure sealants, orthodontic applications, and core buildups.

1. GLASS IONOMER

2.  These tooth-coloured materials were
introduced in 1972 for use as
restorative materials for anterior teeth
(particularly for eroded areas, Class III
and V cavties).

3.  bond chemically to dental hard tissues
and release fluoride for a relatively long
period

4.  restorationof carious lesions in low-
stress areas such as smooth-surface
and small anterior proximal cavities in
primary teeth

5. GICs are commonly classified into
four principal types:

6. GICs are commonly classified into
four principal types:
Conventional Glass Ionomer
Cements

7. GICs are commonly classified into
four principal types:
Conventional Glass Ionomer
Cements
Hybrid Ionomer Cements (Also
known as Light or Chemical
Cured Resin-modified Glass
Ionomer or Dual-cured Glass
Ionomer Cements)

8. Tri-cure Glass Ionomer Cements

9. Tri-cure Glass Ionomer Cements
Metal-reinforced Glass Ionomer
Cements

10. Composition and preparation

11. Composition and preparation
GIC Powder

12. Composition and preparation
GIC Powder
 powder is an acid-soluble calcium
fluoroaluminosilicate glass (similar to
that of silicate) but with a higher
alumina-silicate ratio that increases its
reactivity with liquid.

13.  fluoride

14.  fluoride
 Lanthanum, Strontium, Barium or Zinc
Oxide additives provide radioopacity.

15.  the raw materials are:

16.  the raw materials are:

Silica 41.9%

17.  the raw materials are:

Silica 41.9%

Alumina 28.6%

18.  the raw materials are:

Silica 41.9%

Alumina 28.6%

Aluminum Fluoride 1.6%

19.  the raw materials are:

Silica 41.9%

Alumina 28.6%

Aluminum Fluoride 1.6%

Calcium Fluoride 15.7%

20.  the raw materials are:

Silica 41.9%

Alumina 28.6%

Aluminum Fluoride 1.6%

Calcium Fluoride 15.7%

Sodium Fluoride 9.3%

21.  the raw materials are:

Silica 41.9%

Alumina 28.6%

Aluminum Fluoride 1.6%

Calcium Fluoride 15.7%

Sodium Fluoride 9.3%

Aluminum Phosphate 3.8%

22. GIC Liquid

23. GIC Liquid
 Originally, the liquids for GIC were
aqueous solutions of polyacrylic acid in
a concentration of about 40 to 50%.

24. GIC Liquid
 Originally, the liquids for GIC were
aqueous solutions of polyacrylic acid in
a concentration of about 40% to 50%.

25.  Theliquid consists of acid is in the
form of co-polymer with itaconic,
maleic or tricarboxylic acids.

26.  Tartaric acid is also present in the
liquid. It improves handling
characteristics and increases the
working time, but it shortens the
setting time.

27. Manipulation:

28. Manipulation:
1. Surface of the prepared tooth must be clean
and dry

29. Manipulation:
1. Surface of the prepared tooth must be clean
and dry
2. The consistency of the mixed cement must
allow complete coating of the surface
irregularities

30. 3. Excess cement must be remove at the
appropriate time

31. 3. Excess cement must be remove at the
appropriate time
4. The surface must be finished without
excessive drying

32. 3. Excess cement must be remove at the
appropriate time
4. The surface must be finished without
excessive drying
5. Protection of the restoration surface must
be ensured to prevent cracking or
dissolution.

33.  The conditions are similar for lutting
applications, except that no surface
finishing is needed.

34. Setting Time:

35. Setting Time:
 GIC TYPE 1 - 5-7minutes

36. Setting Time:
 GIC TYPE 1 - 5-7minutes
 GIC TYPE 2 - within 10minutes

37. Advantages:

38. Advantages:

Inherent adhesion to tooth
structure

39. Advantages:

Inherent adhesion to tooth
structure

High retention rate

40. Advantages:

Inherent adhesion to tooth
structure

High retention rate

Little shrinkage and good
marginal seal

41. Advantages:

Inherent adhesion to tooth
structure

High retention rate

Little shrinkage and good
marginal seal

Fluoride release and hence
caries inhibition

42. 
Biocompatible

43. 
Biocompatible

Minimal cavity preparation
required hence easy to use on
children in and suitable for use
even in absence of skilled dental
manpower and facilities (such
as in ART)

44. Disadvantages

45. Disadvantages:

Brittle

46. Disadvantages:

Brittle

Soluble

47. Disadvantages:

Brittle

Soluble

Abrasive

48. Disadvantages:

Brittle

Soluble

Abrasive

Water sensitive during setting
phase.

49. 
Some products release less
fluoride then conventional GIC

50. 
Some products release less
fluoride then conventional GIC

Not inherently radiopaque
though addition of radiodense
additives such as barium can
alter radiodensity

51. 
Some products release less
fluoride then conventional GIC

Not inherently radiopaque
though addition of radiodense
additives such as barium can
alter radiodensity

Less aesthetic then composite

52. Uses:

53. Uses:

Type I - For luting cements

54. Uses:

Type I - For luting cements

Type II - For restorations

55. Uses:

Type I - For luting cements

Type II - For restorations

Type III - Liners and bases

56. Uses:

Type I - For luting cements

Type II - For restorations

Type III - Liners and bases

Type IV - Fissure sealants

57. Uses:

Type I - For luting cements

Type II - For restorations

Type III - Liners and bases

Type IV - Fissure sealants

Type V - Orthodontic Cements

58. Uses:

Type I - For luting cements

Type II - For restorations

Type III - Liners and bases

Type IV - Fissure sealants

Type V - Orthodontic Cements

Type VI - Core build up