Assessing of setting, flexural strength, ion release and surface microhardness of novel glass ionomer cements with self-healing properties

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the setting kinetic, staticphysical/mechanical properties, and ion release of the recently developed conventionalglass ionomer cement contained elastomeric micelles (Deltafil, DF) with the commercialconventional glass ionomer cement (EQUIA Forte; EF, Fuji IX; F9, Ketac Molar; KM).Materials and method: The acid-base reaction of the materials was determined usingFTIR-ATR (n=3). Biaxial flexural strength/modulus (n=10) and Vickers surfacemicrohardness (n=5) were determined after immersion in water for 24 h and 4 weeks. Ionrelease was analyzed using fluoride-specific electrodes and ICP-OES (n=5).Results: The extrapolated degree of acid-base neutralization of all materials wascomparable (~97%) (p>0.05). Additionally, DF exhibited the highest BFS, which wassignificantly higher than that of EF, F9, and KM. The highest fluoride release wasobserved with EF, followed by F9, KM, and DF. However, DF had significantly lowest5Vickers microhardness values compared to other materials tested. For the cumulative ionrelease, concentrations of Al, P, and Sr were all detected, but a higher amount of Sr wasobserved from DF compared to other materials tested.Conclusion: The recently developed conventional GIC with added elastomeric micellesexhibited a satisfactory setting reaction and mechanical properties but with lower fluoriderelease. Therefore, this material may not be suitable for patients with high caries risk, butit may be indicated for use in moderate-high loading areas where mechanical strength isa primary concern in clinical conditions.