A RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY RENAISSANCE FOR CHILDREN - LIGHT-HARDENED GLASS IONOMER RESIN CEMENT

The light-hardened glass ionomer/resin dental restorative material was introduced in 1992. Its formula includes 80 percent glass ionomer mat erial combined with a 20 percent visible light polymerized resin compo nent. The authors have completed over 1300 class I, class III, and cla ss V restorations in primary teeth, using the new material. The new ma terial is considered by the authors to be a great improvement over the self-hardening glass ionomers. The addition of the 20 percent light-h ardened resin component to the glass ionomer formula gives the materia l an initial setting time under sixty seconds, and improves resistance to wear and fracture.