Influence of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on the properties of glass ionomer cement

Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is an important restorative dental biomaterial which is utilized in filling, lining and adhesion restoration. The aim of this work is the enhancement of the mechanical, morphological, antibacterial and fluoride release properties of the glass ionomer cement by incorporation of different wt% of nano hydroxyapatite powder (HA). The result of this work refers to that, the addition of nano-HA to GIC enhance its fluoride ion release, compressive strength and antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans and the bacterial inhibition zone reached to about 8.6 mm when 8% HA wt% is used. This suggests that addition of nano-HA particles to GIC to produce GIC-HA hybrids which can be used as suitable materials for improving its fluoride ion release, mechanical properties and inhibiting residual bacteria in dentine. (C) 2018 Brazilian Metallurgical, Materials and Mining Association. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.