An in Vitro Assessment of the Retentive Property of Orthodontic Molar Bands Cemented With HY Agent-Containing Glass Ionomer Cement

Abstract

Introduction: In orthodontic treatments, glass ionomer cements (GICs) are the most extensively used adhesive materials. Through an acid-base reaction with enamel and dentin, they function as chelating agents, creating a chemical bond with stainless steel bands. It has been reported that glass ionomer cement (GIC) containing HY agents along with a complex of zinc fluoride, strontium fluoride, and tannic acid offers enhanced retentive strength. This combination contributes to reduced solubility, promotes remineralization, and improves acid resistance. In this in vitro study, Shofu HY Bond glass ionomer cement (HY GIC) was utilized to compare and evaluate the retentive strength of molar bands cemented with it against Voco Meron (VM GIC), a conventional glass ionomer cement.
Materials and Methods: The long axis of fifty extracted maxillary first molars was aligned at 90 degrees to the acrylic resin blocks. Of these teeth, twenty-five were bonded using HY-GIC (group 1), while the remaining twenty-five were bonded with Meron GIC (group 2). The retentive properties of both types of glass ionomer cement were evaluated using universal testing equipment. An independent t-test was employed to compare the retentive strength between the two groups.
Results: The average retentive strength of bands bonded with HY-GIC was measured at 14.65 ± 1.37 MPa, while bands using Meron GIC had a strength of 10.75 ± 1.10 MPa. The difference between these two values was statistically significant.
Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the retentive strength between the 2 groups with Shofu HY bond GIC being superior.