New approach for handling glass ionomers in restorative dentistry.

Potentially toxic products like the existing composites and their derivatives may harm both patients and dentists and therefore prudence is recommended, particularly in dentistry for children. Biocompatible glassionomers are a meaningful alternative for composites but have low strength and wear resistance. Mechanical properties of self curing GIC's can be improved by using heat-curing technique making them command set materials. This article is showing the clinical possibilities using this technique. The forming of the so-called pseudo enamel (Fluor-Apatite) is a unique property. Using this new methods lead to long lasting and biocompatible posterior GIC restorations which can mechanically in strength and wear but also in esthetics compete with posterior composites.