title: The therapeutic use of glass ionomer.
abstract: This article will review the physical properties of glass ionomer restorative materials, their gingival reaction, and their mechanisms of therapeutic action. A description will be given of how glass ionomer materials affect bacteria, and its effectiveness at preventing secondary, or marginal, caries. A summary of in vivo performance, together with descriptions of therapeutic clinical applications and recharging with fluoride to improve clinical performance of glass ionomer restorations will be presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Sciences, Division of Operative Dentistry, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. larso004@umn.edu
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Larson
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D005459:Fluorides