Methods: Five specimens of each glass ionomer with no antimicrobial compounds added were prepared - to serve as a control group; and collections of five specimens of each cement with different concentrations of CPC and Benzalkonium Chloride - 1%, 2% and 3% - added to them were also prepared - a total of 60 samples. The specimens were prepared according to the British Standards Institution Specifications for Dental Glass Ionomer Cements 1989. The compressive strength was measured with the Instron Universal Testing Machine, model 1193, with a cross-head speed of 1mm/min.
Results: A statistical analysis has been done of the results using the Student t-test. The statistical analysis was performed for each of the GICs incorporated with the antimicrobial agents versus the respective GICs with no antimicrobial agent (control group). The statistical analysis shows no statistical significance of incorporation of 1%, 2% and 3% Benzalkonium Chloride in Fuji IX. The differences in the mean compressive strength of 1% and 2% of CPC in Fuji IX, with respect to control group are statistically significant to p<0,05, while the differences in the mean compressive strength of the same GIC with 3% of CPC with respect to controle group is statisticaly insignificant. In the case of the ChemFlex, both the addition of Benzalkonium Chloride and of CPC in all three percentage amounts, the differences are statistically significant from p<0,05 to p<0,001.
Conclusion: The results of the analysis point out that it is possible to incorporate these antimicrobial agents in conventional GICs, and this is especially true when added aomunt of the antimicrobial agents is 1%.