Assessment of Occlusal Load Strength of Glass Ionomer Cement and Composite in Class 2 Cavities - An in-vitro study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:  Glass Ionomer Cement is one among the preferred direct restorative material for a long time because of its good biocompatibility, chemical adhesion towards the tooth structure, anticariogenic nature but it also equally has various disadvantages such as high polymerization shrinkage and factors such as postoperative sensitivity, micro-leakage and enamel cracks. AIM: The current study focuses at assessing the occlusal load strength of Class II cavities restored using GIC and Resin Composite. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study was carried out on 10 human molar teeth samples collected from the Department of Oral Pathology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital. After sample collection Class 2 cavity preparation was carried out in all the collected samples following which they were divided into 2 groups with 5 samples in each group. Group 1 samples were restored using GIC and Group 2 samples were restored using Resin Composite following which Occlusal load strength of both the group samples were assessed using the Instron compression platform. RESULTS: The values were recorded and tabulated for statistical analysis for comparing the occlusal load strength of group 1 and group 2 samples. The results were analyzed using an independent t-test and it was found to be statistically significant P = 0.012 i. e P value <0.05. CONCLUSION: The current study within the limitations depict that the occlusal load strength of the samples restored using Composite (Group 2) is greater when compared to samples restored using GIC (Group 1).