ABSTRACT
Statement of Problem: in order to increase the performance of glass ionomer cement, it is reinforced with metal powders, short fibers, bioceramics and other materials. Fluoroapatite [Ca[10][PO[4]][6]F[2]] is found in dental enamel and is usually used in dental materials due to its good chemical and physical properties
Objectives: in this study, the effects of the addition of synthesized fluoroapatite nanoceramic on the compressive strength and bioactivity of glass ionomer cement were investigated
Materials and Methods: the synthesized fluoroapatite nanoceramic particles [ 70 nm] were incorporated into as-prepared glass ionomer powder and were characterized using X-ray diffraction [XRD], Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [FTIR] and scanning electron microscopy [SEM]. Moreover, the compressive strength values of the modified glass ionomer cements with 0, 1, 3 and 5 wt% of fluoroapatite were evaluated
Results: results showed that glass ionomer cement containing 3 wt% fluoroapatite nanoparticles exhibited the highest compressive strength [102.6 +/- 4] compared to the other groups, including control group. Furthermore, FTIR and SEM investigations indicated that after soaking the glass ionomer cement- 3 wt% fluoroapatite composite in the simulated body fluid solution, the intensity of O-H, P-O and C-O absorption bands increased as a result of the formation of apatite layer on the surface of the sample, and the rather flat and homogeneous surface of the cement became more porous and inhomogeneous
Conclusions: addition of synthesized nano-fluoroapatite to as-prepared glass ionomer cement enhanced the compressive strength as well as nucleation of the calcium phosphate layer on the surface of the composite. This makes it a good candidate for dentistry and orthopedic applications