Evaluation of compressive and diametral tensile strength of novel bioactive material with conventional glass ionomer cement and silver amalgam: An in vitro study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the compressive and tensile strength of two different brands of conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC), with new zirconia-reinforced GIC and silver amalgam. Materials and Methodology: Eighty specimens with 20 samples in each group were prepared (Group 1-Fuji IX GIC, Group 2-FX-II Shofu GIC, Group 3-Amalgam, and Group 4-Zirconia-reinforced glass ionomer [Zirconomer]) for compressive strength (CS) using cylinder molds with dimensions 6.0 mm diameter × 12.0 mm height. Eighty specimens using cylinder molds with dimensions 6.0 mm diameter × 3.0 mm height were prepared for testing diametral tensile strength (DTS). CS test was carried out using Micro Universal Testing Machine (Mecmesin, PPT Group, UK) having a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. DTS was determined using Instron universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. The data were submitted to two-way analysis of varianceand post hoc Tukey tests (alpha = 0.05). The mean CS value was more for Group III (256.2), followed by Group IV (181.2 Megapascals [MPa]), Group II (129.8 MPa), and the least was Group I (117.9 MPa). Result: The mean DTS value was high in Group III (73.7 MPa), followed by Group IV (58.0 MPa), Group II (36.0 MPa), and the least was seen in Group I (23.2 MPa). Conclusion: It can be concluded that although Zirconomer has mechanical properties greater than that of unmodified GICs, additional studies are essential to evaluate its long-time ability.