New trends in glass-ionomer chemistry.

This paper surveys the different routes to develop glass-ionomer cements (GICs) (glass polyalkenoate cements). Using a new commercially available material, Ketac-Molar, the particular ways of improving conventional GICs are described (mainly optimizing the concentration and molecular weight of the polyacid as well as the particle size distribution of the glass). High cross-linkage in the GIC matrix is the key issue to achieve superior physical properties (three- body wear resistance, compressive and flexural strength, surface hardness and solubility). This is proven by differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy.