A glass ionomer cement (GIC) is a dental restorative material used in dentistry as a filling material and luting cement,[1] including for orthodontic bracket attachment.[2] Glass-ionomer cements are based on the reaction of silicate glass-powder (calciumaluminofluorosilicate glass[3]) and polyacrylic acid, an ionomer. Occasionally water is used instead of an acid,[2] altering the properties of the material and its uses.[4] This reaction produces a powdered cement of glass particles surrounded by matrix of fluoride elements and is known chemically as glass polyalkenoate.[5] There are other forms of similar reactions which can take place, for example, when using an aqueous solution of acrylic/itaconic copolymer with tartaric acid, this results in a glass-ionomer in liquid form. An aqueous solution of maleic acid polymer or maleic/acrylic copolymer with tartaric acid can also be used to form a glass-ionomer in liquid form. Tartaric acid plays a significant part in controlling the setting characteristics of the material.[5] Glass-ionomer based hybrids incorporate another dental material, for example resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGIC) and compomers (or modified composites).[5]
Non-destructive neutron scattering has evidenced GIC setting reactions to be non-monotonic, with eventual fracture toughness dictated by changing atomic cohesion, fluctuating interfacial configurations and interfacial terahertz (THz) dynamics.[6]
It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[7]