Adhesion of glass-ionomer cements to teeth: A review

This review covers the adhesion of glass-ionomer cements, both conventional and resin-modified, to the enamel and dentine of the tooth. These materials are widely used in modern dentistry, and studies have shown them to bond particularly to the mineral phase of the tooth material, with some evidence of direct chemical bonds between carboxylic acid groups of the polymer and calcium ions in the tooth mineral. With time, conventional glass-ionomers have been shown to develop an ion-enriched interfacial zone with dentine, which is probably responsible for the high durability of the adhesive bonds of this material. Adhesion is exploited in many of the clinical applications of these materials, including ART, class V cavity repairs, and pit-and-fissure sealants. These are described briefly.