Analysis of glass ionomer cement with use of scanning electron microscopy.

In the study, scanning electronmicroscopy and x-ray microanalysis techniques were used to examine a silver-reinforced glass ionomer cement. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate surface topography and microstructure. Microcracking and a bimodal pore distribution were observed. The cement consisted of unreacted glass particles surrounded by a silica gel "halo" and embeded in an organic salt matrix. Back-scattered electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy detected discrete clusters of silver atoms within the material. Other elements, such as calcium and aluminum, were dispersed homogeneously. Wave-length dispersive spectroscopy was used to detect fluoride, which also appeared to be homogeneously distributed. Electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis techniques could prove valuable in clarifying the microstructure and fluoride release mechanisms of glass ionomer cements. Refinement of some aspects, including sample preparation, will be necessary to obtain consistently reliable results.