- In pediatric dentistry, Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) is a versatile material used for fillings, sealing pits and fissures, and as a luting cement for crowns, offering excellent adhesion to teeth and long-term fluoride release to prevent recurrent decay. Its unique ability to form chemical bonds with tooth structure and act as a fluoride reservoir makes it ideal for minimally invasive treatments in young patients, although modified GIC systems are often used to improve their physical properties and durability.
Key Properties and Benefits
- Adhesion: GIC forms chemical bonds with both enamel and dentin, providing a secure and reliable bond to the tooth structure.
- Fluoride Release: It continuously releases fluoride ions, which help to remineralize enamel and prevent further decay.
- Biocompatibility: GIC is a biocompatible material, making it safe for use in children.
- Aesthetics: GICs offer good aesthetic properties, though some materials have evolved to improve their appearance.
Common Uses in Pediatric Dentistry
- Restorations: Used to fill cavities in young patients, particularly in minimally invasive procedures and Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART).
- Pit and Fissure Sealants: Applied to protect the vulnerable chewing surfaces of molars and premolars from decay.
- Cementation: Utilized as a luting agent to cement dental crowns, bridges, and other fixed restorations.
- Core Build-ups: Can be used to build up significant lost tooth structure to support a dental crown.
- Orthodontic Applications: Used to bond orthodontic brackets to teeth, with its fluoride-releasing properties helping to prevent demineralization.
Types and Modifications
- Conventional GIC: Traditional GIC materials with a setting time that relies solely on an acid-base reaction.
- Resin-Modified GIC (RMGIC): These materials incorporate a photopolymerizable resin component, which reduces the setting time, enhances physical characteristics, and improves handling.
- High-Viscosity GIC: These materials are specifically designed for durability as definitive restorations in posterior teeth, addressing some of the mechanical limitations of older conventional GICs.
Considerations
- Fluoride Reabsorption: In addition to releasing fluoride, GIC can also absorb fluoride ions from sources like toothpastes and mouthwashes, acting as a fluoride reservoir.
- Improved Techniques: Newer modifications and techniques have been developed to improve the predictability and clinical performance of GICs in pediatric patients.
