Comparative Evaluation of Shear Bond Strength and Fluoride Release of Conventional Glass Ionomer with 1% Ethanolic Extract of Propolis Incorporated Glass Ionomer Cement -Invitro Study.

INTRODUCTION: Atraumatic restorative treatment is a minimal intervention approach which involves manual removal of caries followed by restoration using adhesive restorative material. Due to incomplete manual caries excavation, there is a high chance of secondary caries under the restoration. Hence, many antibacterial agents have been incorporated in cement to enhance their antibacterial effect. Propolis is one of the natural medicines that has highlighted application in dentistry.

AIM: The current study evaluated the shear bond strength and fluoride release of Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) combined with 1% Ethanolic Extract of Propolis (EEP). The research hypothesis was that the incorporation of 1% EEP in GIC has an effect on shear bond strength and fluoride release.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study was conducted among two groups. Group A conventional GIC (control), Group B GIC incorporated with 1% EEP (experimental). Shear bond strength: Thirty samples were prepared. Dentinal surface was restored and bond strength was assessed using a universal testing machine. Fluoride release: Thirty samples were prepared and stored in distilled water at a constant temperature until the time of measurement. The fluoride release was assessed by ion selective electrode after 1(st) day and 7(th) day. Data obtained by shear bond strength analysis was subjected to statistical analysis using an unpaired t-test and the data obtained by the fluoride release analysis was subjected to an unpaired t-test and paired t-test.

RESULTS: Result showed that there was no statistically significant difference in shear bond strength between the groups (p-value 0.77). A statistically significant difference was noticed in fluoride release among the groups after 1(st) and 7(th) day (p-0.001). However, the release was lesser in both the groups after the 1(st) day.

CONCLUSION: A 1% EEP incorporated GIC enhanced the fluoride release without causing a significant effect on shear bond strength of GIC.