Cuspal fracture resistance and microleakage of glass ionomer cements in primary molars

The purpose of this study was to comparatively evaluate the fracture strength and microleakage among two new glass ionomer cements. One hundred and ten primary first and second molars were divided into two main groups, one group comprising of fifty teeth for microleakage evaluation and second group of sixty for fracture strength. Both the groups were subdivided equally into four based on the materials used, consisting of the same number of teeth respectively, in each. Two controls were used for cuspal fracture strength and an additional trial group was added for microleakage evaluation. Ideal, non retentive class II were prepared and restored with amalgam, Fuji IX, Fuji II LC and Vitremer. The statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences among all the subgroups except between subgroup 3 vs. 4 and 1 for cuspal fracture strength. Similarly microleakage values were significantly different statistically among sub groups 4 and 5 vs 1 and 2. The present study revealed that Fuji IX was the best in terms of cuspal fracture strength and Fuji IX with an additional application of light cure resin sealant gave the lowest degree of microleakage.