Glass Ionomer-Carboxymethyl Chitosan Cement: Setting Time, Microhardness, Mineral Phase, Crystallinity, and Dentin Remineralization Potential

Background: The application of Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) stimulates dentin remineralization. Carboxymethyl-Chitosan (CMC) can stabilize Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (ACP) nanoclusters that promote intrafibrillar remineralization. However, the effect of modifying GIC with CMC in dentin remineralization has not been widely reported. Objective: This study aims to determine how supplementing GIC material with CMC affects its setting time and crystallinity and evaluate how applying 5% and 10% GIC-CMC to demineralized dentin affects the dentin’s microhardness, mineral phase, and degree of crystallinity. Methods: GIC was mixed with CMC at 5% and 10% ratios to produce GIC-CMC5% and GIC-CMC10%. GIC, GIC-CMC5%, and GIC-CMC10% were applied to acrylic molds. Their setting times and crystallinity were tested using the Vicat needle test and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), respectively. The dentin samples were made into cavities, demineralized, and treated with GIC, GIC-CMC5%, and GIC-CMC10%. The tooth roots were soaked in phosphate-buffered saline for 14 days. Remineralization in the dentin was evaluated based on microhardness values using the Vickers test, and its mineral phase and degree of crystallinity were assessed using XRD. Results: GIC-CMC (5% and 10%) had shorter setting times than the GIC but the same crystallinity. The microhardness of the treated dentin in the GIC-CMC5% and GIC-CMC10% groups increased compared to the GIC group. Hydroxyapatite crystals formed in the GIC and GIC-CMC samples, with the highest crystallinity in the GIC-CMC10% sample. Conclusion: GIC-CMC had a shorter setting time than GIC but the same crystallinity. Applying GIC-CMC10% to demineralized dentin increased the dentin’s microhardness and crystallinity and promoted hydroxyapatite crystal mineral formation.