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Objectives: This study was designed to examine the effect of the application of radiant heat on the fluoride release from the surface of a glass polyalkenoate cement., Methods: The radiant heat was applied at different intensities and for different time intervals using a high-intensity fibreoptic quartz halogen light source. A standard technique was used to measure the amount of fluoride released from one surface of a cement specimen into deionized water. Fluoride release was measured for a time period of over 2 years., Results: Results showed that fluoride was still being released 2 years after placement. The application of radiant heat did not have a statistically significant effect on the release of fluoride from the surface of this material., Conclusions: There appeared to be a trend suggesting that the greater the amount of heat applied, the less fluoride was released from the surface of the cement. A considerable inter- and intrabatch variation was noted in the amount of fluoride released from the cement.

The use of heat to improve mechanical properties of materials is a widely accepted phenomenon. It has been studied in dentistry with a view to improving the properties of resin composite. Dental cements may benefit by the application of heat, in particular with regard to their early surface properties. This study was carried out to examine the effect of the application of radiant heat to the surface hardness of one type of glass polyalkenoate cement. It was found that raising the temperature of the surface of the cement to a maximum of 60 degrees C significantly improved the early surface hardness of the material. The application of a high level of heat also improved the surface hardness of the cement after 24 h compared to cement which had not been heat treated. The use of heat would appear to accelerate the matrix-forming reaction of the material and although further work is necessary this technique may have clinical application.

The inability of resin composite to bond directly to dentine has compromised the clinical success of this restorative material. This problem may be overcome by the so-called laminate technique in which glass polyalkenoate cement is placed upon dentine and then covered with a resin composite. The cement both adheres to dentine and affords micromechanical attachment to the composite. The introduction of the resin-modified glass polyalkenoate cements (RMCs) offers the potential for chemical union between cement and composite. This investigation examined the shear bond strengths of P-50 resin composite to four glass polyalkenoate lining materials, with and without the application of an intermediate bonding agent (Scotchbond 2). Two of the cements were RMCs (Vitrebond, XR-Ionomer) and the others were conventional base materials (Baseline, Ketac-Bond). The bond between P-50 and Vitrebond with or without Scotchbond 2 was significantly (P < 0.01) stronger and more consistent (P < 0.05) than that observed for all other materials. The treatment of the conventional materials and XR-Ionomer with Scotchbond 2 significantly (P < 0.01) improved the bond strengths to P-50. It is concluded that Vitrebond formed the most favourable cement-resin composite bond and that the other materials studied should be used in conjunction with an effective intermediate bonding agent, such as Scotchbond 2.

Since the introduction of the laminate technique where composite resin is placed over glass polyalkenoate cement in an endeavour to obtain a marginal seal to tooth substance, it has been advocated and used by many clinicians. This review examines the available literature on this apparently commonly used technique. A wide-ranging evaluation of the technique is allowed by the extensive nature of the literature. The conclusion of the review is that more work is required to evaluate the procedure, but the results of in vitro and, in particular, in vivo studies suggest that the technique may not be as successful clinically as the theory may support.

The recently developed group of materials known as light-activated, or resin-modified, glass polyalkenoate (ionomer) cements have been produced in response to clinical demands for a command set cavity base material. This study monitored the surface pH of three commercially available resin-modified glass ionomer cements over a 60-min period following either mixing alone or mixing followed by a 30-s exposure to a curing lamp. The results indicate that each material behaves in a unique manner. For all materials and conditions the pH reached after a 60-min period was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than the initial value. Light curing the materials significantly increased (P < 0.01) the surface pH of two of the materials (Baseline VLC and Vitrebond) as compared to the same materials in the uncured state. In the case of XR-Ionomer, however, no significant (P > 0.05) effect of light curing upon the surface pH was apparent. The precise clinical consequences of a low surface pH are unclear but may be an aetiological factor in postoperative pulpal sensitivity. It is therefore recommended that a sublining of a proprietary calcium hydroxide lining material should be placed routinely beneath these materials and every effort made to ensure effective light curing.

It is considered that acid release from the surface of glass ionomer (polyalkenoate) cements may be associated with early pulpal sensitivity following the use of these materials. This study was carried out to examine the surface pH of different types of glass ionomer lining cements using a flat-ended pH electrode. It was found that the surface pH remains low for this group of materials during the first hour of setting. Different types of glass ionomer lining cement were also shown to behave differently when considering acid release from the surface. Conclusions regarding the behaviour of glass ionomers should only be made with reference to the specific material tested.