Effects of adding silica particles on certain properties of resin-modified glass-ionomer cement

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of incorporation of silica particles with different concentrations on some properties of resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC): Microleakage, compressive strength, tensile strength, water sorption, and solubility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Silica particle was incorporated into RMGIC powder to study its effects, one type of RMGIC (Type II visible light-cured) and three concentrations of silica particles (0.06, 0.08, and 0.1% weight) were used. One hundred and twenty specimens were fabricated for measuring microleakage, compressive strength, tensile strength, water sorption, and solubility. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's tests were used for measuring significance between means where P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: RMGIC specimens without any additives showed significantly highest microleakage and lowest compressive and tensile strengths. CONCLUSION: Silica particles added to RMGIC have the potential as a reliable restorative material with increased compressive strength, tensile strength, and water sorption but decreased microleakage and water solubility.