Glass ionomer cements: Effect of strontium substitution on esthetics, radiopacity and fluoride release

AbstractObjective d SrF2 are widely used to replace CaO and CaF2 in ionomer glasses to produce radiopaque glass ionomer cements (GIC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of this substitution on release of ions from GIC as well as its effect on esthetics (translucency) and radiopacity. als and methods s were produced from ionomer glasses with varying content of Sr, Ca and F. The cements were stored in dilute acetic acid (pH 4.0) for up to 7 days at 37 °C. Thereafter, the cements were removed and the solution was tested for F−, Sr2+, Ca2+, and Al3+ release. Radiopacity and translucency were measured according to BS EN ISO 9917-1:2003. s lease was linear to t1/2 suggesting that this is a diffusion controlled mechanism rather than dissolution. The fluoride release from the cements is enhanced where some or all calcium is replaced by strontium. Radiopacity shows a strong linear correlation with Sr content. All cements were more opaque than the C0.70 0.55 standard but less opaque than the C0.70 0.90 standard which is the limit for the ISO requirement for acceptance. icance tudy shows that the replacement of calcium by strontium in a glass ionomer glass produces the expected increase in radiopacity of the cement without adverse effects on visual properties of the cement. The fluoride release from the cements is enhanced where some or all calcium is replaced by strontium.