Objectives to determine the mechanical properties of hybrid and high-viscosity glass ionomer cements. Compressive strength and hardness of three glass ionomer cements (GIC) were measured: Ketac ™ Universal Aplicap ™, EQUIA Fil® and EQUIA FORTE Fil®, and the SEM sample analysis were performed. Materials and Methods The samples for measuring the compressive strength were prepared using silicone molds with standard dimensions of 6 mm x 4 mm and stored in deionized water for five days, while the samples for hardness measurement were prepared using Teflon molds with a cylindrical opening in the middle, dimensions 2 mm in height and 5 mm in width. For each material, one sample was made (n = 1) and stored in deionized water at 37ºC for 25 days. A representative sample of each material was analyzed using SEM. For the comparison of obtained values, the ANOVA test was used, while Tukey test was used for the multiple comparison. Results There were no significant differences between the compressive strength of the three tested materials (p <0.05). The hardness values were: 157 HV0,2 for Ketac ™ Universal Aplicap ™, 47 HV0,2 for EQUIA Fil® and 39 HV0,2 for EQUIA FORTE Fil®, respectively, and were significantly different, implying that Ketac ™ Universal Aplicap ™ has much higher hardness values than the other materials tested. SEM sample analysis revealed similar fracture modes of the tested materials. Conclusion It was concluded that there were no statistically significant differences in compressive strength and fracture modes between the tested materials, while Ketac ™ Universal Aplicap ™ hardness results were significantly higher than the ones measured for EQUIA Fil® and EQUIA FORTE Fil®.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate erosive wear and change in color of high-viscosity glass ionomer cements after pH cycling in two erosive media. There were 3 experimental groups with 22 samples each, (I) EQUIA Forte HT without coat, (II) Fuji IX and (III) Ketac Universal Aplicap. Each group was randomly divided into three subgroups (n = 6–8) further exposed to different environments, (1) distilled water, (2) green tea (pH 3.78) and (3) Aceto balsamico vinegar (pH 3.0). Mass and L* a* b* values were recorded before and after pH cycling. The samples in subgroups 2 and 3 were exposed to the acidic media two times a day for 10 min, over a period of 14 days. The differences among materials and erosive effects of the three media were tested using three-way analyses of variance with post hoc LSD test at the significance level p < 0.05. The effect of pH cycling in Aceto balsamico and green tea was degrading for all three materials. pH cycling in Aceto balsamico caused significantly higher erosive wear than pH cycling in Fuzetea and storage in distilled water, in all materials (p < 0.05). pH cycling in both acidic media and in the control group resulted in a significant change in L* a* and b* (p < 0.05). The L* value decreased significantly and the a* and b* values increased significantly (p < 0.05).

This study aimed to determine the effects of three different varnish materials (containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, nano-hydroxyapatite, and fluoride) on enamel. Thirty-three extracted human third molars were used for specimen preparation. These were demineralized using phosphoric acid. Three experimental groups (n = 11) were treated with 3M™ Clinpro™ White Varnish, MI Varnish®, and Megasonex® toothpaste, respectively, every twenty-four hours for fourteen days. Analysis of the microhardness of the specimens’ enamel surfaces was carried out via the Vickers method, and by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Analysis was performed at three stages: at baseline value, after demineralization, and after the period of remineralization. Data were subjected to Scheffe’s post hoc test. The mean microhardness values (HV0.1) obtained for the group of samples treated with MI Varnish® were higher compared with the other two groups (p = 0.001 for both comparisons), while the first and third groups did not differ significantly from each other (p = 0.97). SEM analysis showed uneven patterns and porosities on all samples tested. EDS results showed an increase in the mineral content of the examined samples, with the highest mineral content observed in the MI Varnish® group. It can be concluded that MI Varnish® use has a better remineralization effect on enamel than the other two materials.

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Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of incorporation of hydroxyapatite (HA) derived from cuttlefish bone on the microhardness, surface roughness (SR), and fluoride release (FR) of conventional cure, and resin-modified glass-ionomer cement. Methods: There were four groups for each tested material; experimental glass-ionomer were made by addition and of 2, 5, and 10 wt % HA respectively to conventional glass-ionomers Fuji II LC and Fuji IX GP Extra. One group was prepared without the addition of HA particles. For SR and microhardness measurements sectional Teflon molds (5 mm in diameter and 2 mm deep) were used to prepare 10 samples per group (n = 80). The samples were stored in distilled water at 37 °C for 7 days prior to testing. The SR was measured using a contact type profilometer and the microhardness was determined using a Vickers micro-hardness tester at a load of 980 g for 15 s. For FR measurements, there were six samples per group (n = 48), prepared in Teflon molds (8 mm in diameter and 2 mm deep). The FR was measured with an ionoselective electrode in triplicates after 24 h, 7 days, and 45 days. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc test. Results and Conclusion: Microhardness values obtained for Fuji II modified with 10 wt % HA were significantly higher compared to the other two groups tested. Comparison of materials with respect to SR showed significant difference between them (p < 0.0001) with Fuji II and Fuji IX modified with HA having higher SR values. Regarding FR, Fuji IX showed statistically significant higher results than Fuji II, independently of HA modification, and groups modified with 2 and 5 wt % HA showed significantly increased fluoride release in all three time points.