We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Glass Ionomer Cements?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 16,344
Share

Glass ionomer cements, or GIC, are a classification of bonding and filling materials that are often employed in the field of dentistry. Sometimes referred to as dental cements, they can be utilized as a binding agent to help in the luting process between teeth or as one of the fillers used in tooth repair and restoration. When set in place, these cements have an appearance and color that approximates the look and hue of a tooth, making the material both practical and visually appealing.

The first of the glass ionomer cements was released in 1972. While some enhancements have been made over the years, the essential components of the glass ionomer compound have remained the same. Making good use of the natural reaction between silicate glass powder and polyakleonic acid, the ionomer material can be used as dental fillings in cavities. This one application has made it possible to save teeth that would have been extracted in the years prior to the development and release of this material.

In general, glass ionomer cements require only a short period of time to set. Six to eight minutes from the time of mixing and application is normally sufficient. However, it is possible to slow the setting somewhat by mixing the cement on a cold surface if more time is required before the mixture is applied to the patient.

Over the years, a number of applications have been discovered for the use of glass ionomer cements. Normally referred to as types, these applications involve several common dental procedures. They may be used as luting cements (Type I), liners and bases as well as core buildup in cavities (Types III and VI) and as a fissure sealant (Type IV). Altogether, there are currently six distinct types of applications.

While some of the applications of glass ionomer cements are meant to be permanent, the cement can also be used for temporary applications, such as an intermediate restoration. A trained dental professional can determine when and if the use of this cement is in the best interests of the patient.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including About Mechanics, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.
Discussion Comments
By john1478 — On Jun 30, 2011

@Farah1 - I think you bring up an excellent point. Thank you for posting. Glass ionomer cements are much better than metal cements. Using them instead of metal cements makes the thought of filling in a cavity much less scary.

I have a seven year old son. While I try to make him understand the importance of good dental hygiene, it is still a struggle getting him to brush his teeth regularly. Sure enough, when he last visited the dentist for his six month check up and cleaning, the dentist found a few cavities.

I was devastated. When I was his age, I too had cavities that needed to be filled. My childhood dentist only used metal fillings. So when I returned to school the next day after getting my cavities filled, my classmates poked fun at me. I did not want my son growing up insecure about his smile like I did.

Thankfully, his dentist assured me that he would be using a glass ionomer cement that would closely match the color of his natural teeth. This was quite a relief to me. I am glad dental care has advanced since the time I was a child.

By Farah1 — On Jun 29, 2011

I have been a dental assistant for about a year. The dentists that I work for definitely prefer glass ionomer cements over other dental restoration materials.

Like the article says, glass ionomer cement is designed to be a permanent dental solution. It can withstand all forms of chewing as good as natural teeth. This fact is especially important to patients who like to know that they can continue enjoying the foods that they love without having to worry about their filling popping out.

I think the best aspect of glass ionomer cement is that its color closely resembles that of natural teeth. Using it provides a more aesthetically pleasing dental solution than metal fillings.

By anon38170 — On Jul 24, 2009

Airstar21: GIC has been proven to have no side effect or cytotoxicity effect making it the safest filling material

Question: Can GIC withstand mastication forces? and how biobivility is it? thank you

By airsar21 — On Jan 17, 2009

I'd like to ask whether the glass ionomer cement having any side effects, especially if got in contact with the gingival tissues..thank you very much.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-are-glass-ionomer-cements.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.