• Glass ionomer cement consists is a basic glass & an acidic

polymer which sets by an acid-base reaction between

these components.
Mclean & Wilson 1994

• Glass-ionomer is the generic name of a group of materials

that use silicate glass powder and aqueous solution of
polyacrylic acid”
Kenneth J Anusavice

• GIC Acquired its name from its composition of glass

particles and an ionomer that contains carboxylic acid.
• Other name : Alumino Silicate Polyacrylic Acid(ASPA)
 Composition - Powder

• Silica (SiO2) – 35-50%

• Alumina (Al2O3) – 20-30%
• Aluminium flouride – (AlF3) 1.5 – 2.5 %
• Calcium fluoride (CaF2) – 15-20%
• Sodium Fluoride (NaF) – 3.0-6.0 %
• Aluminium phosphate (AlPO4) – 4.0 – 12%
• Lanthanum, Strontium, Barium in traces
(for radio opacity)
• Fluorides act as ceramic flux
Alumina (Al2 O3) Calcium fluoride (Ca F2)
- Increase opacity - Increase opacity

Silica (SiO2) - Acts as flux

- Increase Translucency - CaF2 is supplemented by

addition of Cryolite
Fluoride: 5 functions (Na3 Al F6)
- Decrease fusion temp. - It reduces the temperature
at which the glass will fuse
- Anticariogenecity

- Increase translucency
Aluminium phosphates
- Increase working time
- Decrease melting temp.
- Increase strength - Increase translucency

Glass ionomer cements in dentistry : a review International journal of plant, animal

and environmental sciences 2011;1(1): 26-30
 Preparation of powder
 It is basically an acid soluble calcium alumino silicate glass
containing fluoride.
 It is formed by fusing silica + alumina + calcium fluoride,
metal oxides and metal phosphates at 11000c - 15000 c then
pouring it onto a metal plate or into water.
 The glass is then ground to a fine powder, size ranging
between 20µ for luting to 50µ for restoration.

Glass ionomer cements in dentistry : a review International journal of plant, animal

and environmental sciences 2011;1(1): 26-30
 Composition of liquid
• Polyacrylaic acid – 45%
• Water – 50% (Hydrates reaction product)
• Tartaric acid in traces (increases working time,
translucency ,Increases strength
• Modifiers
– Itaconic acid – 5%
– Maleic acid – 5% Modifiers
– Tri carballylic acid – 5%

– Modifiers reduces viscosity ,inhibits gelation ,improves

storage
 Setting Reaction
• Decomposition of glass
• Migration of ions
• Gelation
• Post set hardening
• Maturation

Ref : Maryam Khoroushi, Fateme Keshani.A review of glass-ionomers: From conventional glass-ionomer
to bioactive glass-ionomer. Dental Research Journal 2013 ; 10 (4 ): 411- 420
Decomposition of glass
• The glass particles are attacked at the surface by poly acid which
leads to withdrawal of the cations
• thus the glass network breaks down to silicic acid.

Migration of ions
•Principally Al3+, Ca2+, F- ions are released
and migrate into aqueous phase and form
Complexes ( Glossy appearance )
•Initially calcium complexes predominate
but later Aluminium complexes are more.
• pH and viscosity increases
Gelation
•At critical pH and ionic concentration , insoluble poly acrylates

Precipitation takes place.

•Initial set occurs due to calcium polyacrylate

•But hardening of cement is due to slow formation ofaluminium

polyacrylate

• Calcium acrylate is more vulnerable to water. So

the freshly set cements are to be protected

Post set hardening
• This process continues for about 24 hrs
• Ions form polyacid chains
• Al polyacrylate become predominant

Maturation
• Increased cross linking gives better physical properties
• Increase in translucency
•Cement becomes resistant to acid attack & dessication
•Increase in translucency
Water present in set cement can be classified into two forms:

• Loosely bound water (readily removed by dessication)

• Tightly bound water (Cannot be removed)

Ref : Maryam Khoroushi, Fateme Keshani.A review of glass-

ionomers: From conventional glass-ionomer to bioactive glass-
ionomer. Dental Research Journal 2013 ; 10 (4 ): 411- 420
When subjected to dessication : Loss of water
• Shrinking and crazing
• Retardation of cement formation
• Weaker cement

When subjected to moisture : Absorption of water

• Disruption of surface by swelling
• Loss of substance to oral environment

This problem does not arise if GIC is protected

between 10 and 30 minutes
Classification
A. According To A.D. Wilson And J.W.Mclean IN 1988
Type I --- luting cements
Type II --- restorative cements
a.Restorative aesthetic
b.Restorative reinforced

B.Acc.To Characteristics Specified By Manufacturer

Type I --- Luting cement eg. Fuji I, KETAC
Type II --- Restorative material eg. Ketacfil, Fuji II, fuji IX
Type III a. Bases & liners --weak with less acidic
--- b. Bases & liners --stronger but more acidic
c. Bases & liners --strong even in thin layer
Type IV --- Admixture eg. Ketac silver, miracle mix
C. According To Skinners
Type I – Luting
Type II- Restorative
Type III- Liner and
base

D. According To J.W.Mclean Et Al IN 1994

• Glass ionomer cement (traditional)

• Resin modified glass ionomer cement
• Poly acid modified composite resins
 E. ACCORDING TO USES:

• Type I – Luting
• Type II – Restorative
• Type III – Liner/base
• Type IV – Pit & fissure sealant
• Type V – Luting for orthodontic purpose
• Type – Core buildup material
VI – High fluoride releasing command set
• Type – Atraumatic restorative treatment
VII − Pediatric Glass Ionomer cements
• Type VIII
• Type
IX
 F. Newer Classification
• Traditional glass ionomer
a. Type I --- Luting cement
b. Type II --- Restorative cements
c. Type III --- Liners&Bases

• Metal modified Glass Ionomer

a. Miracle mix
b. Cermet cement

• Light cure Glass Ionomer

HEMA ( Hydroxylethyl methacrylate ) added to liquid

• Hybrid Glass Ionomer/resin modified Glass Ionomer

a. Composite resin in which fillers substituted with glass ionomer particles
b.Precured glasses blended into composites
 Reference
1. TR. Mahesh Singh, P .Suresh. Glass ionomer cements in dentistry : a review
International journal of plant, animal and environmental sciences 2011;1(1): 26-30

2. Maryam Khoroushi, Fateme Keshani.A review of glass-ionomers: From

conventional glass-ionomer to bioactive glass-ionomer. Dental Research Journal
2013 ; 10 (4 ): 411- 420

3. Sharanbir K. Sidhu 1 and John W. Nicholson A Review of Glass-Ionomer Cements

for Clinical DentistryJ. Funct. Biomater. 2016 ;7 (16)