An over View on Cytotoxicity of Glass Ionomer Cements

Introduction No dental material meets all requirements to be considered as an ideal restorative material should meet all the requirements, and should be biocompatible and non-toxic to the tissues. Biomaterials 1993;14: 906–16]. Most of these materials have to contact or interact with body tissue and fluids, so material’s selection must take into consideration not only mechanical and physical properties but also biological compatibility. The need for evaluating the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of specific material is as important as the assessment of its physiological or mechanical properties [Six N, Lasfargues JJ, Goldberg M. In vivo study of the pulp reaction to Fuji IX, a glassionomer cement. J Dent 2000;28: 413–22]. Since glass ionomer cements were first introduced in the early70s by WILSON & KENT (1972), major changes have occurred in their chemical composition. Conventional glassionomer cements were characterized by an acid-base reaction between polycarboxilic acids and alumina silicate glass particles that formed a set matrix. They presented favourable characteristics such as their ability to chemically adhere to dental tissues and to release fluoride ions. As reported by MOUNT (1995) the leaching of fluoride ions from conventional glass-ionomer cements provided them with excellent anti-cariogenic properties. However, their clinical indications were limited because they exhibited poor mechanical and aesthetic qualities (UM & OILO 1992).