Bonding and gap formation of glass-ionomer cement used in conjunction with composite resin

Abstract

Glass-ionomer cement has been suggested as liner in cavities restored with composite resin. The purpose of the present investigation was to measure 1) tensile bond strength between etched glass-ionomer cement and composite resin, and 2) gap formation as assessed by wall-to-wall polymerization contraction and by microleakage with a silver nitrate technique. The influence of the following variables was examined: type of glass-ionomer cement and composite resin, duration of acid etching, irradiation time of unfilled and composite resin, preparation of bevel, conditioning with polyacrylic acid, and storing time in water before gap measurement. Bond strengths varied from 0 MPa when etching was omitted to 3.9 MPa after etching. Glass-ionomer cement lining reduced wall-to-wall contraction and penetration of silver nitrate. A positive correlation was found between wall-to-wall contraction and silver nitrate penetration.