Bioactive sol–gel glass added ionomer cement for the regeneration of tooth structure

Dental cements including the glass ionomer cement (GIC) have found widespread use in restoring tooth structures. In this study, a sol–gel derived glass (SG) with a bioactive composition (70SiO 2 · 25CaO · 5P 2 O 5 ) was added to the commercial GIC (GC, Fuji I) to improve the bioactivity and tooth regeneration capability. The SG powders prepared with sizes in the range of a few micrometers were mixed with GIC at SG/GC ratios of 10 and 30 wt%. The setting time, diametral tensile strength, and in vitro bioactivity of the GC–SG cements were examined. The setting time of the GC–SG cements increased with increasing amount of SG. However, the addition of SG did not significantly alter the diametral tensile strength of the GC. GC–SG induced the precipitation of an apatite bone-mineral phase on the surface after immersion in a simulated body fluid (SBF), showing in vitro bone bioactivity. However, no mineral induction in SBF was observed in the commercial GIC after the immersion. The in vitro cell assay confirmed that the GC–SG samples produced higher cell viability than the GC sample with cell culturing for up to 7 days.