Comparative Analysis of Composite Resin and Glass Ionomer Cement in Pediatric Restorative Dentistry

Main Article Content

Dr. Batool Zehra
Muhammad Usman Shakoor
Dr Palwasha Akbar
Sidra Sattar
Khansa Imtiaz

Abstract

Introduction: Restorative management of dental caries in children requires materials that ensure durability, esthetics, and ease of application. Composite resin and glass ionomer cement (GIC) are commonly used in pediatric dentistry, yet their clinical performance remains a topic of comparison.


Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of composite resin and glass ionomer cement in class I and II restorations of primary molars in children over a 12-month period.


Methodology: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, over 12 months. A total of 120 children aged 5–10 years were enrolled, receiving 60 restorations each of composite resin and GIC. Restorations were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months using modified USPHS criteria, assessing retention, marginal adaptation, surface roughness, color match, and overall success. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with chi-square and independent t-tests applied. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.


Results: Composite resin showed significantly better retention at 6 and 12 months (p = 0.044, p = 0.014), superior marginal adaptation (p = 0.013), and improved surface and esthetic qualities (p < 0.01). It also exhibited fewer failures, smoother surfaces, and better color stability. Overall success was higher in the composite group (91.7%) compared to GIC (75.0%) with fewer failures (p = 0.021).


Conclusion: Composite resin demonstrated superior clinical performance compared to GIC in pediatric molar restorations over 12 months. It is recommended as the material of choice where moisture control and technique allow.

Article Details

Section

Research Articles

Author Biography

Muhammad Usman Shakoor, de'Montmorency College of Dentistry Lahore.

PGR MDS Operative Dentistry

How to Cite

1.
Zehra DB, Shakoor MU, Akbar DP, Sattar S, Imtiaz K. Comparative Analysis of Composite Resin and Glass Ionomer Cement in Pediatric Restorative Dentistry. Innov. Res. J. Dent. [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 30 [cited 2026 Jan. 28];3(1):9-16. Available from: https://irjpl.org/irjd/article/view/151

References

Kunte S, Shah SB, Patil S, Shah P, Patel A, Chaudhary S. Comparative evaluation of compressive strength and diametral tensile strength of conventional glass ionomer cement and a glass hybrid glass ionomer cement. International journal of clinical pediatric dentistry. 2022 Jul;15(4):398.doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2407

Bhat D, Gupta M, Pandit IK, Gugnani N. A comparative study to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel Alkasite-based material (Cention N), resin-modified glass ionomer cement, and composite resin for restoration of Class II cavities in primary molars: A randomized control trial. Journal of South Asian Association of Pediatric Dentistry. 2023 Aug 29;6(2):56-61.DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10077-3262

Nanavati K, Katge F, Chimata VK, Pradhan D, Kamble A, Patil D. Comparative evaluation of shear bond strength of bioactive restorative material, zirconia reinforced glass ionomer cement and conventional glass ionomer cement to the dentinal surface of primary molars: an in vitro study. Journal of Dentistry. 2021 Dec;22(4):260.doi.org/10.30476/DENTJODS.2021.87115.1230

Nanavati K, Katge F, Chimata VK, Pradhan D, Kamble A, Patil D. Comparative evaluation of shear bond strength of bioactive restorative material, zirconia reinforced glass ionomer cement and conventional glass ionomer cement to the dentinal surface of primary molars: an in vitro study. Journal of Dentistry. 2021 Dec;22(4):260.doi.org/10.3390/ma14216694

Balkaya H, Arslan S, Pala K. A randomized, prospective clinical study evaluating effectiveness of a bulk-fill composite resin, a conventional composite resin and a reinforced glass ionomer in Class II cavities: one-year results. Journal of Applied Oral Science. 2019 Oct 7;27:e20180678.doi.org/10.1590/1678-7757-2018-0678

Mundada MV, Hugar SM, Hallikerimath S, Davalbhakta R, Gokhale NS, Shah SV. Comparative Evaluation of Retention and Antibacterial Efficacy of Compomer and Glass Hybrid Bulk Fill Restorative Material as a Conservative Adhesive Restoration in Children with Mixed Dentition—An In Vivo Two-arm Parallel-group Double-blinded Randomized Controlled Study. International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2020;13(Suppl 1):S45.doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1866

Uzel İ, Aykut-Yetkiner A, Ersin N, Ertuğrul F, Atila E, Özcan M. Evaluation of glass-ionomer versus bulk-fill resin composite: A two-year randomized clinical study. Materials. 2022 Oct 18;15(20):7271.doi.org/10.3390/ma15207271

Bhatia K, Nayak R, Ginjupalli K. Comparative evaluation of a bioactive restorative material with resin modified glass ionomer for calcium-ion release and shear bond strength to dentin of primary teeth-an in vitro study. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2022 Nov 1;46(6):25-32.doi: 10.22514/jocpd.2022.022

Bethapudy DR, Bhat C, Lakade L, Chaudhary S, Kunte S, Patil S. Comparative evaluation of water sorption, solubility, and microhardness of zirconia-reinforced glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, and type IX glass ionomer restorative materials: an in vitro study. International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2022 Mar;15(2):175.doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2364

Patil K, Patel A, Kunte S, Shah P, Kaur B, Paranna S. Comparative evaluation of the mechanical properties of zinc-reinforced glass ionomer cement and glass ionomer type IX cement: an in vitro study. International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2020 Jul;13(4):381.doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1798

Moshaverinia M, Navas A, Jahedmanesh N, Shah KC, Moshaverinia A, Ansari S. Comparative evaluation of the physical properties of a reinforced glass ionomer dental restorative material. The Journal of prosthetic dentistry. 2019 Aug 1;122(2):154-9.doi.org/10.1016/j.prosdent.2019.03.012

Bayazıt EÖ, Başeren M, Meral E. Clinical comparison of different glass ionomer-based restoratives and a bulk-fill resin composite in Class I cavities: A 48-month randomized split-mouth controlled trial. Journal of dentistry. 2023 Apr 1;131:104473.doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104473

Bilgrami A, Maqsood A, Alam MK, Ahmed N, Mustafa M, Alqahtani AR, Alshehri A, Alqahtani AA, Alghannam S. Evaluation of shear bond strength between resin composites and conventional glass ionomer cement in class II restorative technique—an in vitro study. Materials. 2022 Jun 17;15(12):4293.doi.org/10.3390/ma15124293

Kupietzky A, Atia Joachim D, Tal E, Moskovitz M. Long-term clinical performance of heat-cured high-viscosity glass ionomer class II restorations versus resin-based composites in primary molars: a randomized comparison trial. European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry. 2019 Oct;20(5):451-6.doi.org/10.1007/s40368-019-00423-x

Birant S, Ozcan H, Koruyucu M, Seymen F. Assesment of the compressive strength of the current restorative materials. Pediatric Dental Journal. 2021 Apr 1;31(1):80-5.doi.org/10.1016/j.pdj.2020.12.007

Kataria VG, Patel MC, Bhatt R, Patel FC, Makwani DG, Joshi K. Clinical and radiographic evaluation of different glass ionomer restorative materials in primary molars: a comparative randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2023 Nov;16(6):829.doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2709

Raman V, Srinivasan D, Eagappan AS, Harish SS. A comparative evaluation of dissolution rate of three different posterior restorative materials used in pediatric dentistry: an in vitro study. International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2023 Aug;16(Suppl 1):S20.doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2577

Kumar RK, Subramani SK, Swathika B, Ganesan S, Chikkanna M, Murugesan S, Babu JS, Swarnalatha C, Nayyar AS. Comparison of shear bond strength of composite resin, compomer, and resin-modified glass-ionomer cements in primary teeth: An in-vitro study. Journal of Orthodontic Science. 2023 Nov 1;12(1):71.DOI: 10.4103/jos.jos_36_23

da Silva ME, de Sena MD, Colombo NH, Pereira JA, Chrisostomo DA, de Aguiar SM, Cunha RF, Duque C. Short-term Clinical and Microbiological Performance of Resin-modified Glass Ionomer Cement Containing Chlorhexidine for Atraumatic Restorative Treatment. International journal of clinical pediatric dentistry. 2023 Aug;16(Suppl 1):S27.doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2612

Sharma C, Kaur H, Aggarwal M, Jakhu S. Comparative evaluation of shear bond strength of glass ionomer cement, composite and compomer in primary teeth: an in vitro study. SVOA Dentistry. 2023;4(2):52-6.doi.org/10.58624/SVOADE.2023.04.0127

Akman H, Tosun G. Clinical evaluation of bulk-fill resins and glass ionomer restorative materials: A 1-year follow-up randomized clinical trial in children. Nigerian journal of clinical practice. 2020 Apr 1;23(4):489-97.DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_519_19