title: Surface roughness of glass ionomer cements indicated for uncooperative patients according to surface protection treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Even today, use of Glass Ionomer Cements (GIC) as restorative material is indicated for uncooperative patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed at estimating the surface roughness of different GICs using or not their proprietary surface coatings and at observing the interfaces between cement and coating through SEM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty specimens have been obtained and divided into 4 groups: Fuji IX (IX), Fuji IX/G-Coat Plus (IXC), Vitremer (V), Vitremer/Finishing Gloss (VFG). Samples were obtained using silicone moulds to simulate class I restorations. All specimens were processed for profilometric evaluation. The statistical differences of surface roughness between groups were assessed using One-Way Analysis of Variance (One-Way ANOVA) (p<0.05). The Two-Way Analysis of Variance (Two-Way ANOVA) was used to evaluate the influence of two factors: restoration material and presence of coating. Coated restoration specimens (IXC and VFG) were sectioned perpendicular to the restoration surface and processed for SEM evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistical differences in roughness could be noticed between groups or factors. Following microscopic observation, interfaces between restoration material and coating were better for group IXC than for group VFG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When specimens are obtained simulating normal clinical procedures, the presence of surface protection does not significantly improve the surface roughness of GICs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Sciences, Pediatric Dentistry Unit, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pacifici
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Sciences, Pediatric Dentistry Unit, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bossù
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Sciences, Prosthodontics Unit, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Agostino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giovannetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Torre
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Sciences, Oral Diagnosis Unit, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Sciences, Pediatric Dentistry Unit, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polimeni
keywords: GIC; coating; roughness