A preliminary study of ethanol’s influence on glass ionomer cement
Objectives:
To investigate the effect of ethanol on ion release from the restorative
glass-ionomer cement (GIC), GC Fuji IX.
Methods:
Batches of six specimens of GIC were made according to manufacturers
specifications and placed into 6mm x 4mm stainless steel moulds. They were
removed and stored at 37ºC in 5ml of (a) double deionised water, (b) 5%
ethanol, or (c) 40% ethanol for 24 hours. The specimens were removed at
regular time intervals and monitored for changes in mass before being placed in
to fresh storage solutions. All solvents were analysed using inductively
coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to quantify ion
release. Total fluoride ion release was determined separately using an
ion-selective electrode using TISAB II as decomplexing agent.
Results:
The mean masses of the specimens decreased with the higher concentrations of
ethanol, indicating a reduced water sorption of the sample.
Table: Representative ion release
data (ppm)
Ion
Water
5%
Ethanol
40%
Ethanol
Al
P
F
7.7
<0.1
21.5
7.5
2.0
17.0
7.0
15.5
23.5
Conclusion: Ethanol affects the release of ions from GIC, to different
extents depending on the nature of the ions. It also affects the maturation
processes, because water sorption (normally associated with maturation) does
not occur to the same extent from ethanol mixtures.
