Giomers and PRG Technology - Bioactive concept of composite restorative and prophylactic dental materials.

Nowadays we can expect something more than good esthetic and durability of composite restorative materials.

Presently composite restorative materials are basic restorative materials which are used every day in may dental practices. Their popularity is mainly caused by their excellent estetics, comparatively low cost and acceptable durability. But in many research data we can find that long term successful rate is not that high especially in restorations in posterior area. In this case the main reason of failure of composite restoration is secondary caries. There are many factors which can be responsible for the presence of marginal leakage and carries.

From another point of view there are glass ionomers which are rather comparatively short time restorative materials with limited estetics but with its bioactivity that help prevent secondary caries they became more and more popular.

Giomer is a unique SHOFU Japan concept based on development of a new technology that combines patented bioactive filler with typical resin matrix. The clue is a special, low water sorption S-PRG glass filler which can release 6 different ions: Fluoride, Sodium, Strontium, Aluminum, Silicate, Borate all with known bioactive properties. S-PRG means Surface Pre-reacted Glass Ionomer. It describes character of the reaction between glass and acid which takes place only on the surface of the glass filler. This reaction reduces water sorption and support stability of the glass filler but also do not limit activity of ions included in glass particles. Next these glass particles are added to resin matrix.

These combined properties of ions are:

• Recharge fluoride when treated with fluoridated products
• Decrease acid production of cariogenic bacteria
• Neutralise acid on contact
• Slow demineralisation, while promoting remineralization of enamel
• Demonstrate an anti-plaque effect

Above bioactivity has been described in many in vitro research data. Also long term clinical studies have proved that we can expected long term carries free restorations in all teeth in all classes of cavities. Some of them will be presented during lecture both with own clinical cases of the author.

Nowadays Giomer concept is present in many different types of SHOFU Japan dental materials. Shofu Japan during last decade introduce new condensable restorative materials, different flow restoratives, syringable restoratives, fissure sealant, dental permanent adhesive cements and temporary cements, orthodontic cements, bulk and bulk flow materials and a very special S-PRG Barrier Coat which can protect effectively tooth structures against carries for 3-6 months. It seems that resin dental materials have gained one more function than before - prevent caries disease in restored teeth.