Journal of Dental Research, Vol 74, 1266-1271, Copyright © 1995 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Hypermineralization of dentinal lesions adjacent to glass-ionomer cement restorations
J. M. ten Cate and R. N. van Duinen
Department of Cariology and Endodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands.
Previous reports have shown a release of fluoride from glass-ionomer cement
(GIC) restorations into the oral fluids. Fluoride in the ambient fluids has
a caries-preventive effect by enhancing remineralization and inhibiting
demineralization of the dental hard tissues. Therefore, the current
investigation was undertaken to determine whether GIC fillings could
contribute to the remineralization of caries lesions in dentin. Small
circular preparations were made in disks of dentin which had incipient
caries-like lesions in the remaining tissue. The preparations were filled
with amalgam or composite materials (as controls) or with GIC. The
specimens thus contained a restoration close to a dentinal caries-like
lesion. The specimens were placed contralaterally in the buccal surfaces of
removable partial dentures and were worn intra-orally by volunteers for a
12-week experimental period, after which the specimens were sectioned and
analyzed by microradiography. All specimens with GIC restorations exhibited
hypermineralization in the tissue bordering the filling and in the wall of
the preparation which had been in contact with the restoration. The
(caries-like) lesions were remineralized, even under conditions of heavy
plaque formation. In contrast, specimens with amalgam or composite
restorations showed further extensive demineralization. This study
demonstrates a significant remineralization potential exerted by the
fluoride-releasing GIC restorative material. Consequently, the choice of
the restorative material might be crucial for the occurrence or prevention
of recurrent caries around restorations.
