Silver-alloy powder and glass ionomer cement.

This article examines some physical property improvements made when a spherical silver alloy powder is added to a hydrous, restorative (type II) glass ionomer cement. When this first metal-reinforced glass ionomer cement is handmixed thickly and quickly, physical properties and clinical handling are improved. These various improvements make this metal-reinforced cement similar in clinical applications to a biocompatible dental epoxy. Three clinical cases are illustrated to show how simply this metal-reinforced glass ionomer cement can be used in dental practices.