Expanding Potential Dental Applications of Glass Ionomer Cement by Incorporating with Nano-Hydroxyapatite

Abstract

Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is a common restorative material in dentistry, but it exhibits relatively weak mechanical properties. The present study focuses on incorporating nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) with different ratios (1, 3, 5, and 7wt %) in GIC to improve its properties. Mechanical properties, sorption, solubility, and diffusion coefficients after storage in distilled water for 60 days were studied. The highest sorption was measured at 7%wt (46.66 μg/mm3), and the lowest solubility was in the case of the sample containing 5% (29.166 μg/mm3). Moreover, the highest value of diffusion coefficient was 8.5 mm/s in the case of the sample with 7%wt nHAP. All in all, an ideal nHAP/GIC composition was prepared, and it can be applied as the basis of underneath dental filling.