The objective of this work was to study the relationship between the mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength) of conventional glass-ionomer cements as a function of its chemical composition and glass particle size distribution as it is found in the market. The literature review evidenced the merit of conventional glass-ionomer cements in that concerns their adhesion to enamel, to dentin and to dental metal-alloys, in that relates to their ability to graded and long-term fluorine liberation (counter-cariogenic effect) but also showed its low cohesive strength and high solubility in aqueous medium. The experimental work was carried out with 5 cements (Vidrion R, Vidrion F and Vidrion C - SSWITE, Ketac Cem and Ketac Fill - ESPE) characterized as restorative and lutinhg cements (utilized in restoration of cavities and luting of indirect dental works, made by dental prosthesis laboratories), and consisted of characterization of the original cements powders by using scanning electron microscopy, powder particle size measurement, x-ray diffraction, and compressive strength tests in samples of cured cements. Conclusions: Vidrion C has enough strength for eventual replace cement in tooth restoration; the 2 month aging increases the strength of Vidrion C and R cements; without aging, Ketac Fill presented better compressive strength than Vidrion C; the glass of the glass-ionomer cement powders can be found crystalline in the state as-received.
Conventional glass-ionomer; restorative dental cement; compressive strength; aging of dental cement
