COMPARISON OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF ZIRCONOMER AND GLASS IONOMER CEMENT AFTER IMMERSION IN FIZZY BEVERAGES - AN INVITRO STUDY

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: The glass ionomer has high fluoride release and chemical bonding to the tooth structure make them the cement of choice for several restorative and luting functions. A high-strength restorative material, which has been reinforced with zirconia fillers known as zirconomer, has been a recent substitute to glass ionomer cement in dentistry. Compressive strength is considered to be a critical indicator of success in restorative dentistry because a high compressive strength is necessary to resist masticatory and parafunctional forces. The aim of the study is to compare the compressive strength of zirconomer and glass ionomer cement after immersion in fizzy  beverages.

Materials and Methods: An in-vitro study was carried out to find the compressive strength of zirconomer and glass ionomer cement post immersion in fizzy drinks. Samples were made from shofu brand glass ionomer cement and shofu brand zirconomer. Total of 10 samples were made, 5 were prepared from zirconomer and the other 5 were prepared from glass ionomer cement. They were immersed respectively in fizzy beverages (pepsi and miranda) for 24 hours and distilled water was used as control.  Then they were mounted in the Instron E 3000 universal testing machine to check for the compressive strength. A statistical analysis was performed by chi square test using SPSS version 21.

Results: On comparing all the 3 groups, zirconomer has more compressive strength than glass ionomer cement. P value of the chi square test is 0.000 which is statistically significant.

Conclusion: The comparative evaluation of the compressive strength of zirconomer and glass ionomer cement after immersion in fizzy beverages have shown that zirconomer has superior compressive strength than the glass ionomer cement. Hence, zirconomer can be used as a promising posterior tooth restorative material.

Running Title: Compressive strength of zirconomer and GIC after immersion in fizzy beverages.

Type of Study: Original in vitro study.