Glass-Ionomer Cement Technology Advances into 21st Century Dentistry Systematic reviews reveal the continued evolution of dental materials (PRWEB) February 17, 2011 Latest systematic review results suggest high-viscosity glass-ionomer cement (GIC) as safe and economical long-term tooth restorative system in conventional stress bearing Class I and in non-stress bearing Class II and Class V situation. High-viscosity GIC may also be acceptable in Class II stress bearing situations, as long as the isthmus is less than half of the intercuspal distance as stated in the manufacturer's instruction of use. Systematic reviews, often including meta-analysis as statistical method, provide the highest form of clinical knowledge in terms of achieving internal validity of results. One systematic review appraised the current clinical evidence regarding the use of high-viscosity GIC for long-term Class I, II and V tooth restorations placed in permanent teeth [1]. This systematic review included 14 clinical studies, providing a total of 27 separate study results and concluded as follows: · Most of the 27 results show no significant statistical difference between the success rate of high-viscosity GIC restoration and amalgam for treatment of the same clinical indications
These results show that high-viscosity GIC is not inferior in comparison to traditional amalgam restorations under similar clinical conditions. In addition, two further systematic reviews revealed the following evidence: · Tooth margins of single-surface GIC restorations in permanent teeth had significantly less carious lesions after 6 years than on amalgam restorations [2]
Further advances have revealed that a resin coating over a GIC restoration may increase its fracture toughness [4] and reduce microleakage [5]. This resin layer may also not completely hinder the fluoride release activated by the GIC and thus its external anti-cariogenic effects within the oral cavity [6]. The EQUIA Restorative System One cost-effective restorative system has been developed to include a high-viscosity GIC with a coating component, based on the above evidence. The EQUIA Restorative System, developed by GC Corporation (http://www.gceurope.com ), consists of EQUIA Fil also called Fuji IX GP Extra and EQUIA Coat also called G- Coat Plus. The concept of EQUIA is to combine a high-viscosity GIC (EQUIA Fil or Fuji IX GP Extra) with a highly-filled, light curing varnish (EQUIA Coat or G-Coat Plus). According to GC this integrates the main advantages of the high-viscosity GIC (self-adhesion, bulk application, improved mechanical properties) with a protective barrier in the early maturation phase and an improved surface hardness. When EQUIA Fil is coated with EQUIA Coat (EQUIA System) a marked increase in fracture toughness, flexural strength and flexural fatigue resistance are observed. The clinical application of EQUIA utilizes all listed clinical merits of a high-viscosity GIC restoration and is based on the evidence that resin coating improves the physical properties of the resultant final restoration. In addition, EQUIA offers patients who are unable to afford composite fillings a cost-effective, mercury-free and aesthetic tooth restoration. Scientific journal articles for further reading: 1. Systematic review of clinical trials by Mickenautsch et al., Clinical Oral Investigation 2010; v14: pp233-240.
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