METHODS: Dissolution kinetics of CHX-HMP were firstly explored using spectroscopy and a colorimetric phosphate assay. Elastomeric ligatures were categorized into 3 groups-acetone-conditioned, ethanol-conditioned, and as received-and were then immersed in 5 mM CHX-HMP suspension or 5 mM chlorhexidine digluconate solution and rinsed. CHX release was measured over 8 weeks, and the effects of conditioning and immersion on elastomeric force and extension at rupture and surface topography were investigated.

RESULTS: CHX-HMP exhibited a gradual equilibration that had not reached equilibrium within 8 weeks, releasing soluble CHX and a mixture of polyphosphate and orthophosphate. CHX digluconate-treated ligatures showed no CHX release, whereas CHX-HMP-treated ligatures showed varying degrees of release. As received, CHX-HMP-treated ligatures showed a modest release of CHX up to 7 days. Acetone conditioning did not enhance CHX-HMP uptake or subsequent CHX release and caused a deterioration in mechanical properties. Ethanol conditioning enhanced CHX-HMP uptake (6×) and led to a sustained CHX release over 8 weeks without affecting mechanical properties.

METHODS: PubMed and Science Direct were searched for papers published between the years 1974 and 2018. The search was restricted to articles written in English related to modification of glass ionomer cements. Only articles published in peer-reviewed journals were included. The search included literature reviews, in vitro, and in vivo studies. Articles written in other languages, without available abstracts and those related to other field were excluded. About 198 peer-review articles in the English language were reviewed.

CONCLUSION: Based on the finding, most of the modification has improved physical-mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements. Recently, researchers have attempted to improve their antimicrobial properties. However, the attempts were reported to compromise the physical-mechanical properties of modified glass ionomer cements.