Glass polyalkenoate cement applications

The glass polyalkenoate cement uniquely combines translucency with the ability to bond to untreated tooth material and bone. Indeed, the only other cement to possess translucency is the dental silicate cement, while the zinc polycarboxylate cement is the only other adhesive cement. It is also an agent for the sustained release of fluoride. For these reasons the glass polyalkenoate cement has many applications in dentistry as well as being a candidate bone cement. Its translucency makes it a favoured material both for the restoration of front teeth and to cement translucent porcelain teeth and veneers. Its adhesive quality reduces and sometimes eliminates the need for the use of the dental drill. The release of fluoride from this cement protects neighbouring tooth material from the ravages of dental decay. New clinical techniques have been devised to exploit the unique characteristics of the material (McLean Wilson, 1977a,b,c Wilson McLean, 1988 Mount, 1990). 

The glass polyalkenoate cement is a versatile material and finds use in dentistry and more generally as a biomaterial. There have also been applications outside these fields. 

Another important use for the glass polyalkenoate cement is in preventive dentistry where it can be used to fill and seal naturally occurring pits and fissures in molar teeth which are sites for the initiation of caries (McLean Wilson, 1974, 1977b Komatsu, 1981 Wilson McLean, 1988). Its adhesive quality and ability to act as a long-term fluoridereleasing gel make it particularly suitable for this purpose. Special formulations for this application have been placed on the market. 

Not all cement is based on CS or CA, . A group of cements known as glass ionomer cements (GICs) is used as cements in dentistry. The reaction involves an ion-leachable alumina-silicate glass and an aqueous solution of polyalkenoic acid. The resulting cement consists of glass particles in a polysalt matrix. This is a specialty topic with far-reaching applications. 

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