Nano glass ionomers-a review

Restorative dentistry deals with materials that are used to fill cavities and prevent the infection of caries from recurrence. We have many restorative materials like amalgam, zinc phosphate, zinc oxide eugenol, GIC. Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) has been a part of therapeutic dentistry for over three decades. It is one of the dental restorative materials used in dentistry for filling cavities and used as luting cement for the attachment of orthodontic brackets. It is a solid material with satisfactory appearance. It discharges fluoride which has a remineralising effect. It also additionally empowers high quality and rebuilding tendency in restorative dentistry. It is more susceptible to fracture and is more susceptible to fracture as it cannot bear heavy masticatory load. GIC generally lasts for five years and is quite affordable(price) also. Nanotechnology in dentistry has various implications and it tends to improve the existing properties of the materials in numerous ways. When nanoparticles are introduced into GIC, they can help in better adhesive mechanism to teeth so that they can reduce the fracture occurrence as well as the leakages. It also improves the longevity of the restoration, improves the aesthetic appearance and overcomes the surface roughness seen in conventional GIC. Nano particles are small and occupy the space in the matrix which can improve the strength of the material. Nanoparticles improve sustained fluoride release, increase the strength, improve the antibacterial activity, and can be used clinically as an efficient material. The drawbacks of the conventional materials are overcome by the nanotechnology. They play a very important role in dentistry to improve the efficiency of many materials involved in dentistry. This investigation is mainly focussing on the use of nanotechnology in glass ionomer cements dealing with its properties, points of interest and hindrances.