SUBSTANCES RELEASED FROM DENTAL RESIN COMPOSITES AND GLASS-IONOMER CEMENTS

An increasing number of cavities in the primary and permanent dentitio n is restored with tooth-colored materials, especially dental resin co mposites or glass ionomer cements. Several investigations have reveale d that various components are segregated from different composite fill ing materials into an aqueous environment after polymerization. Most o rganic substances can be extracted from a set resin by organic solvent s (methanol, tetrahydrofuran, ethanol). Furthermore, in most studies, the co-monomer TEG-DMA has been identified as the main compound releas ed from polymerized resin composites into aqueous media. However, smal l quantities of the monomers (Bis-GMA, UDMA) and other co-monomers, as well as additives, may also be released into water. Very little data have been published about substances released from various types of gl ass ionomer cements (GIC), except the liberation of fluoride. Erosion studies have revealed that there is a considerable disintegration of G ICs at lower pH-values. However, the nature of the eroded substances h as not yet been clarified. Altogether, the data presented in this revi ew indicate that information is comparably scarce for resin composites and GICs in comparison to the rich amount of knowledge concerning ama lgams. Therefore, further studies are necessary to determine quality a nd quantity of substances segregated from resin composites and GICs.