Glass ionomers are used in areas not subject to heavy chewing pressure since they have quite a low resistance to fracture. This material is best applicable in small non-load bearing fillings i.e. areas between the teeth and the roots of the teeth. Dentists remove less of the tooth structure when preparing the tooth for a glass ionomer and therefore needs only smaller filling compared to that of an amalgam.

Glass ionomers can be described as translucent tooth-colored materials. It is a mixture of acrylic acid and fine glass powders. These materials are able to release small amounts of fluoride to lessen the possibility of tooth decay in high-risk patients. Although there have been reports of patients succumbing to allergic reactions when in contact with glass ionomers, these incidences are quite few and glass ionomers can be considered as safe for the majority of dental patients.

Source: Mainstreet Dental