Evaluation of Some Mechanical and Physical Properties of Glass-Ionomer Restorative Material Modified with Zirconium Dioxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study the effect of incorporation of zirconia nanoparticles on properties of conventional glass ionomer restorative material was studied. The study aimed to assess the mini flexural strength, compressive strength, micro hardness, as well as water sorption and solubility of conventional glass ionomer with and without addition of zirconium dioxide nanoparticles. Zirconia nanoparticles were added to the powder of conventional glass ionomer cements with three different concentrations 3, 5 and 7 wt%. This resulted in creation of three groups from the modified materials, in addition to the unmodified conventional glass ionomer to be considered as a control group. Specimens were prepared in Teflon molds constructed for each test. The universal testing machine was used for measuring both the mini-flexural strength and compressive strength. Vickers microhardness tester was used to measure the surface microhardness.