Enhanced physicochemical properties and mineral precipitation in experimental glass ionomer cements containing fluoride-doped calcium phosphates and zinc-polycarboxylate bioactive glass.

Abstract

Objectives: This laboratory study aimed at evaluating the physicochemical properties and the ability of various glass ionomer cements (GICs) containing experimental fluoride-doped calcium phosphates (FDCP) or zinc-polycarboxylate bioactive glass (BAG-Zn) to induce mineral precipitation in comparison to the commercial GICs.

Methods: The independent variables in this study were the materials (2 levels: Fuji™ IX GP [IX-GP] and Fuji™ II LC [II-LC]), particle types (2 levels: FDCP and BAG-Zn), and particle concentrations (4 levels: 0, 5, 10, and 20 wt%). Each experimental cement was prepared and molded into disc-shaped specimens and subsequently assessed for pH, Ca^2 +and F^- release, and as well as compressive strength after storage in deionized water for 1, 7, and 28 days at 37°C. The mineral formation subsequent phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) storage was performed at baseline and after 28 days via Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and a scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM/ EDS).

Results: Experimental IX-GP groups showed significantly lower compressive strength without evident ability in CaP-based mineral deposition. In contrast, II-LC incorporated with 10/20 % FDCPs or 5 % BAG-Zn has significantly superior compressive strength, and evident mineral CaP-based deposition on the material's surfaces.

Significance: Incorporating 5 % BAG-Zn in II-LC may be a potential strategy to create innovative restorative materials with superior fluoride release and mechanical properties. On the other hand, incorporating 10/20 % FDCPs would generate GICs with lower acidity, higher fluoride-releasing activity, an evident ability to induce mineral CaP-based deposition, and high compressive strength.