Bonding of resin composites to resin-modified glass ionomers.

Objective: To evaluate the bonding between resin composites and resin-modified glass ionomer restorative materials.

Methods: Bar-shaped specimens of Fuji II LC, Photac-Fil, and Vitremer were fabricated in a mold. After application of unfilled resin, resin composite (either Silux Plus or Restorative Z100) was condensed into the mold against the glass ionomer substrate and was light-cured. These bonded specimens, as well as intact specimens of each material, were placed on a three-point bending apparatus and were loaded until failure using a Zwick testing machine. The transverse strength of each specimen was calculated.

Results: Mean transverse strengths of bonded specimens ranged from 50% to 78% of the transverse strength of the intact glass ionomer materials. The lowest transverse strength was 18.1 MPa, for Photac-Fil/Z100, and the highest was 29.6 MPa, for Fuji II LC/Silux. Statistical analysis indicated that the type of composite used had no significant effect on transverse strength. However, the type of resin-modified glass ionomer used was significant. Although there was much overlap between materials, bonded specimens made with Fuji II LC had the highest absolute strength, and those made with Photac-Fil had the lowest absolute strength. Bonded Vitremer specimens had the highest transverse strength relative to the cohesive strength of the material.