Purpose: To determine the surface hardness and in vitro wear of glass
ionomer cements (GIC) and compomers in comparison with a resin composi
te and to test for a possible correlation between the determined hardn
ess and wear values. Materials and Methods: Samples were made of conve
ntional GIC (Ketac-Fil, Fuji II, Fuji IX, Ketac-Prototype = Ketac-Mola
r), resin-modified GIC (Photac-Fil, Fuji II LC, Vitremer), compomers (
Dyract, Compoglass) and resin composite (Z100) for the hardness test (
n = 10) and for the wear test (n = 3). The materials were handled acco
rding to the manufacturers' instructions. The samples were stored in d
eionized water for 48 hours at 37 degrees C prior to the determination
of Rockwell hardness and three-body in vitro wear. Results: Hardness
could not be measured on Ketac-Fil and Fuji II as the samples fracture
d before a reading was obtainable. Statistically significant differenc
es were found in hardness and wear between brands and between the four
types of material. Surface hardness: resin-modified GIC < conventiona
l GIC = compomers < resin composite. In vitro wear: resin-modified GIC
> compomers > conventional GIC > resin composite. A negative correlat
ion between hardness and wear was recorded.