Glass ionomer cements

Glass ionomer cements have interesting properties due to the release of fluoride that they allow their chemical adhesion to dental tissues their good sealing and the good pulpal tolerance with regard to them. Their major disadvantage is that they cannot withstand excessively high occlusal loads their mechanical properties being much lower than those of composite resins which makes them contraindicated in posterior areas. Additionally although there have been many improvements made over the years they remain relatively opaque and unaesthetic. In this work we propose a synthesis of the different glass ionomer cements analyzed with regard to their compositions and properties. Secondly new bioactive materials recently introduced to the dental market are presented.