Glass Ionomer

Glass Ionomer Cements (GIC) — Type I Luting, Type II Restorative, RMGIC, High-Viscosity & Reinforced Glass Ionomers

Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is a fluoride-releasing, dentine-bonding restorative cement that sets by acid-base reaction between a fluoroaluminosilicate glass powder and a polyalkenoic acid liquid. GIC chemically bonds to enamel and dentine without a separate etch-and-bond step, releases fluoride for ongoing cariostatic benefit, and is biocompatible with the pulp — used for crown and post luting (Type I), Class V and paediatric posterior restorations (Type II), ART (atraumatic restorative treatment), high-viscosity posterior fills and as a sandwich-technique base under composite. Dentalkart stocks conventional Type I and II GIC, resin-modified GIC (RMGIC), high-viscosity ART-grade GIC and zinc/ceramic-reinforced GIC from 3M ESPE Ketac, GC Fuji, Shofu Zirconomer, Tokuyama, Dentsply, VOCO, Pyrax, AmmDent, D-Tech, Prime Dental, Medicept, Vincismile, Vishal Dentocare, Rubydent, Wizdent, Bio Glass Gold and Waldent.

Types of Glass Ionomer Cement

Type I luting GIC (low viscosity)

Low-viscosity Type I GIC for luting metal and PFM crowns, bridges, inlays, cast posts and orthodontic bands — radiopaque, fluoride-releasing, chemical bond to dentine. For example, GC Fuji Plus, GC Gold Label 1 Luting and Lining, AmmDent GI Luting Premium, Pyrax GIC-I Type 1, Shofu Hy-Bond Resiglass (RMGIC luting) and Rubydent Rubyglass L.

Type II restorative GIC (higher viscosity, Class V and paediatric)

Higher-viscosity Type II GIC for Class V cervical lesions, root caries, paediatric Class I and II restorations on primary teeth, and ART placement. For example, 3M ESPE Ketac Universal Glass Ionomer Restorative Intro Kit A3, Shofu Glasionomer Cement Version 2, Tokuyama Tokuso Ionomer Kit, D-Tech Restore Glass, AmmDent GI Fill Premium, Dentsply ChemFil Superior, Vishal Dentocare Glass Core, Rubydent Rubycem, Bio Glass Gold GIC, China GIC and Wizdent Secure GI Fill Extra-9.

Resin-modified GIC (RMGIC)

Glass ionomer with added resin photoinitiator — higher bond strength, lower solubility, command-cure with light, retains fluoride release. Used for crown and post luting, Class V restorations and bases under composite. For example, Shofu Hy-Bond Resiglass, Vincismile Topcem RMGIC, Medicept Xtracem LC, Vishal VLG I-Seal LC GIC, Kids E-Restore (self-adhesive flowable GIC) and Wizdent Secure Lute RMGI / Secure GI Fill LC.

High-viscosity ART-grade GIC

High-viscosity, condensable GIC formulated for atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) — placed without rotary instruments using a hand-excavation technique, ideal for paediatric, public-health and outreach dentistry. For example, 3M ESPE Ketac Molar.

Zinc and ceramic-reinforced GIC (amalgam alternative)

GIC reinforced with zinc particles or strontium ceramic for higher compressive strength than conventional GIC — used as a posterior amalgam alternative in low-stress occlusal cavities and as a stress-bearing base. For example, Shofu Zirconomer Improved, D-Tech Lute Plus Strontium GIC and Prime Dental Prime Cem Ceramic-Reinforced GIC.

Specialty GIC formats

Specialty GIC formats include cavity liner GIC (VOCO Ionoseal) and pit-and-fissure sealant GIC (Waldent Glasseal) for narrow-indication preventive and protective use.

When Glass Ionomer Cement Is Used

• Permanent luting of metal, PFM and post-and-core crowns (Type I GIC, RMGIC)
• Class V cervical and root-caries restorations (Type II GIC, RMGIC)
• Paediatric Class I and Class II restorations on primary teeth
• Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) — high-viscosity GIC, no rotary instruments
• Sandwich-technique dentine-replacement base under composite
• Posterior amalgam-alternative restorations in low-stress cavities (zinc-reinforced GIC)
• Cervical lesion sealing and root-surface caries control in geriatric patients
• Orthodontic band cementation
• Pit-and-fissure sealing as a preventive intervention

How to Choose the Right Glass Ionomer Cement

1. For metal and PFM crown luting pick a Type I GIC (Fuji Plus, GC Gold Label 1, AmmDent GI Luting) — fluoride release plus reliable chemical bond.
2. For Class V, root caries and paediatric Class I / II pick a Type II restorative GIC (Ketac Universal, Shofu Glasionomer V2, Dentsply ChemFil Superior).
3. For posterior amalgam-alternative restorations pick a zinc-reinforced GIC (Shofu Zirconomer) for higher compressive strength.
4. For ART placement in public-health and paediatric outreach pick a high-viscosity GIC (3M Ketac Molar).
5. For crown luting and Class V where command-cure and higher bond strength are wanted pick an RMGIC (Shofu Hy-Bond Resiglass, Vincismile Topcem).
6. Mix powder-and-liquid GIC on a cold dry slab strictly to the manufacturer P/L ratio — over-watering reduces strength and increases solubility. Protect the freshly placed restoration with a varnish or RMGIC coating during the early acid-base set.

Glass Ionomer Cement Brands at Dentalkart

Dentalkart's glass ionomer cement range covers 3M ESPE (Ketac Universal, Ketac Molar), GC (Fuji Plus RMGIC, Gold Label 1 Luting and Lining), Shofu (Glasionomer Cement V2, Zirconomer Improved zinc-reinforced, Hy-Bond Resiglass RMGIC), Tokuyama (Tokuso Ionomer Kit), Dentsply (ChemFil Superior), VOCO (Ionoseal LC liner), Pyrax (GIC-I Type 1), AmmDent (GI Luting Premium, GI Fill Premium), D-Tech (Restore Glass, Lute Plus Strontium GIC), Prime Dental (Prime Cem Ceramic-Reinforced GIC), Medicept (Xtracem LC GIC A2), Vincismile (Topcem RMGIC), Vishal Dentocare (Glass Core, VLG I-Seal LC), Rubydent (Rubyglass L, Rubycem), Wizdent (Secure GI Fill Extra-9, Secure Lute, Secure Lute RMGI, Secure GI Fill LC), Bio Glass Gold, Kids E-Restore (self-adhesive flowable GIC), Waldent (Glasseal pit-and-fissure sealant) and China GIC 344 — covering Type I luting, Type II restorative, RMGIC, high-viscosity ART-grade and zinc/ceramic-reinforced glass ionomer chemistries.

Why Buy Glass Ionomer Cement from Dentalkart

Every GIC powder bottle, liquid bottle and capsule is sourced direct from the manufacturer or authorised Indian distributor, ships sealed with original batch and expiry, and reaches 110000+ pincodes across India with COD on most cement SKUs. Pair glass ionomer cements with the full dental cements range for the complete restorative workflow from one trusted catalogue serving 50,000+ dentists.

What is glass ionomer cement used for?

Glass ionomer cement is used for permanent luting of metal, PFM and post-and-core crowns; Class V cervical and root-caries restorations; paediatric Class I and II restorations on primary teeth; atraumatic restorative treatment (ART); sandwich-technique dentine-replacement bases under composite; orthodontic band cementation; and pit-and-fissure sealing.

What is the difference between Type I and Type II glass ionomer cement?

The difference is viscosity and indication. Type I GIC is low-viscosity luting cement for cementing crowns, bridges, posts and orthodontic bands. Type II GIC is higher-viscosity restorative cement for Class V, root caries, paediatric Class I and II restorations and ART. Both share the same fluoroaluminosilicate-glass and polyalkenoic-acid chemistry — only the powder-to-liquid ratio and particle size differ.

What is the difference between conventional GIC and RMGIC?

The difference is the resin component. Conventional GIC (3M Ketac Universal, Shofu Glasionomer V2) sets purely by acid-base reaction — long working time, full fluoride release, lower bond strength and higher early solubility. RMGIC (GC Fuji Plus, Shofu Hy-Bond Resiglass, Vincismile Topcem) adds a resin photoinitiator for faster command-cure, higher bond strength and lower solubility while retaining fluoride release.

How do I mix glass ionomer cement correctly?

Mix glass ionomer cement on a cold dry glass slab or paper pad strictly to the manufacturer's powder-to-liquid ratio — usually one level scoop of powder to one drop of liquid. Incorporate the powder in two halves over 20–30 seconds. Over-watering reduces strength and increases solubility, so never thin the mix with extra liquid to improve flow.

Are the glass ionomer cements on Dentalkart genuine and CDSCO-compliant?

Yes, every glass ionomer cement on Dentalkart is genuine and CDSCO-compliant. All 3M ESPE, GC, Shofu, Tokuyama, Dentsply, VOCO, AmmDent, D-Tech, Prime Dental, Medicept and Pyrax glass ionomer cements ship in sealed primary packaging with original batch number and expiry printed on every powder bottle, liquid bottle and capsule.