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Glass ionomer filling is a type of cement filling used in the treatment of cavities in teeth, but the material is also used in prosthetics. Glass ionomers contain fluorine and therefore have anti-caries properties. What distinguishes glass ionomer fillings from other seals? When are they used and how much do they cost?
What is a glass ionomer?
Glass ionomers are dental materials that act as fillings for filling cavities. They belong to the group of direct fillings and are a type of dental cement. The name of this type of seal (glass ionomer) means ionomer glass, and the commonly used name is glass ionomer cement (or cement glasionomerowy).
The glass ionomer material includes fluoro-aluminum-silicon glass and organic acids. In dentistry, it appears in the form of a powder or capsules, and after appropriate preparation, the finished preparation is used as a filling or cement glue to fix crowns or bridges. The advantage of this cement is plasticity and tight adhesion to the tooth surface. In addition, the powdered glass contains fluorine ions that penetrate the tooth tissue and have anti-caries properties.
Glass ionomer fillings – indications for use
Many types are used in dental practice cement fillings and sleepers. In addition to glassjomers, there are also silicate, silicate-phosphate, zinc-phosphate and zinc-polycarboxylic cements. They differ in properties such as hardness, strength and the ability to connect with tooth tissues and composites.
Glass ionomer fillings are commonly used in the treatment of deciduous teeth.
The use of glass ionomer fillings includes:
- temporary filling;
- long-term filling;
- use as a base preparation, i.e. glass ionomer primer to protect the dental pulp;
- sealing of furrows and intercubular fissures;
- fixing metal elements of fixed orthodontic appliances to the teeth;
- prosthetics – ionomer glass allows for fixing bridges and crowns.
utilization glass ionomer cements it is recommended especially in the treatment of deciduous teeth, small cavities or as a base for larger cavities. Glass ionomer seals are of great benefit to people who are susceptible to caries, because the fluoride they contain is released gradually over a longer period of time. This ensures a long-term inhibition of the development of bacterial plaque on the enamel surface.
Types of glass ionomers
The basic glass ionomer cement has undergone several modifications that slightly change its properties and application. We can distinguish:
- resin-modified glass ionomer – this type of cement has a higher resistance to moisture and deflection, but limits the release of fluoride and discoloration, which is why it most often acts as a primer.
- metal-modified glass ionomer – such material is cermet cement with silver particles, which shows lower susceptibility to deformation and abrasion; it is used mainly for tooth fillings located in the back part of the dental arches due to its silver color;
- hybrid glass ionomer or compomer filling – a material that combines glass ionomer with composite, which ensures quick and accurate bonding to the tooth, as well as high susceptibility to modeling and polishing; The disadvantage of this airtight filling, however, is its unsightly appearance.
In order to obtain an aesthetic tooth filling, a sandwich filling is used. It consists in the fact that in the deeper parts of the cavity, glassomer cement or amalgam is used, and the top part of the tooth is filled with a composite.
Glass ionomer seals and other fillings
In addition to glass ionomer fillings, dentistry also uses amalgam, composite and porcelain fillings. Their usefulness is different in different clinical situations. The choice of the type of filling usually depends on the size of the cavity, the extent of caries and the office equipment.
- The glass ionomer material has chemical properties that make it easier for it to bond with tooth tissues. This differs from composite and amalgam seals, the fixing of which requires the use of insulation in the form of a cement base.
- Ionomer glass also works as a seal that inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause decay – it is more effective than a composite that has no antibacterial effect. In this respect, however, it lags behind the amalgam, which contains silver ions that inhibit decay.
- One of the main defects of ionomer glass seals durability is shorter than that of composite seals. Brittleness and relatively high susceptibility to abrasion make it impossible to put them on in places exposed to high loads. For this reason, glass ionomer fillings are more often used to treat deciduous teeth than permanent teeth. An additional disadvantage of this material is its color that clearly stands out from the natural color of the teeth.
Glass ionomer at the National Health Fund
As part of the reimbursed dental services, you can use several types of fillings. Among them we can find capsule amalgams, chemically cured composites, base cements and glassomer fillings.
If we go to a private dentist’s office for an appointment, treatment of one tooth with glassomer cement we will pay about PLN 80–180. The final cost depends on whether you are treating a milk or a permanent tooth. In addition, we will pay more if the dentist is dealing with a significant cavity.