Development of a Dental Hybrid Material between a Biomineral and a Glass Ionomer Cement

This paper describes a new dental material based on a hybrid of a Ca-aluminate material (the biomineral Marokite) and a glass ionomer cement (GIC). The intention with this hybrid is to combine early strength development in the glass ionomer system with improved long-term properties of the Ca-aluminate based material. Results of the setting time, the pH development, strength properties and the dimensional stability of the system are presented. The investigation shows that it is feasible to produce a hybrid material by mixing of a biomineral-water system and a GIC-system. The short term mechanical properties are improved compared to those of the pure systems and the transition from acidic to alkaline pH indicates that dual hardening actually occurs. More work is needed, especially regarding the long-term strength, proof of the bioactivity and the chemical stability of the hybrid material.