Product Evaluation

A light-cured RMGI with improved handling, outstanding physical properties, and composite-like esthetics

Dr. Greg Sikora has used a lot of resin modified glass ionomers (RMGI) over the years, and it always seemed like something was missing. Sometimes the material would stick to the instrument or take too long to set. Other times it was difficult to manipulate or would result in less-than-ideal esthetics. When he tried VOCO’s Ionolux light-cured RMGI restorative for this Dental Product Shopper evaluation, Dr. Sikora said he was thrilled to discover that it’s “a step up in handling, color, and finishing characteristics from current generation RMGI products.”

According to VOCO, Ionolux can be packed and shaped immediately after dispensing and is light-curable, which saves procedure time. Ionolux has enhanced esthetics that allow practitioners to offer a great fluoride-releasing solution for patients. “It is an ideal product in populations and patients with high caries indexes,” said Dr. Sikora, who practices in both a public health setting and a private practice. “This product is good enough to be used in lieu of conventional flowable composites with the benefits of fluoride release and placement in non-ideal conditions,” he added. “A very impressive product!”

Ionolux is indicated for class III and V (primarily cervical fillings and root caries), small class I, and temporary restorations; for restoration of deciduous teeth; and for core buildups and linings. This versatile RMGI was deemed a Recommended Product by our team of DPS evaluators.

Ionolux’s user-friendly capsules (0.17 mL) are easily activated and mixed and then dispensed with a compatible applicator. Ionolux was “easy for the assistant to activate and mix,” shared Dr. Tom DeChellis, who also said it was very easy to place with a gun-style applicator but found the Ionolux capsules were sometimes a little loose in the applicator.

According to VOCO, the material will not stick to instruments, is immediately packable, and can be manipulated and shaped instantly after application, which saves procedure time. Praising the packable consistency, Dr. Sebastiana Springmann decided, “This product is quick, easy to use and handle, and works in a less-than-ideal isolation.” Dr. Marc Vance found that Ionolux is less sticky than his current RMGI with improved handling capabilities. He said it has “the good adhesion to dentin that you would expect to get from an RMGI.” Describing it as a “great product overall with many uses,” Dr. DeChellis would like to see “a more doughy consistency” but concluded, “[It] still takes less time to place and cure than other RMGIs.”

“Patients liked this product as it reduced chair time and the need to stay open,” noted Dr. Matthew Giunta, who said fewer steps helped his restorative process go faster. No conditioner or adhesive is needed with Ionolux, which makes the material perfect for situations where a quick procedure is absolutely necessary.

“It was very quick to place and cure for impatient children,” said Dr. DeChellis, who also used Ionolux for quicker root caries appointments on geriatric patients. Dr. Richard Leiman agreed that the “simplicity and rapidity of use” was very helpful in some pedo cases, and said, “Kids found it great as they came in, got their cavities lasered and quickly filled! I found it time-saving and easy to use.” Dr. Sikora said, “This is an ideal product for restorations in the esthetic zone, especially where isolation is difficult and you may not have time to bond and place composite without the site being compromised.”

“[The] light-curing allowed instant cure where needed,” shared Dr. DeChellis. When using Ionolux for bases under large composites, he said it was easy to place and cured quickly, which cut down on appointment time while ensuring a full depth of cure. “The light-cure to a hard finish allowed for immediate polishing and a better result in cases with difficult isolation,” Dr. DeChellis concluded.

Dr. Sikora praised Ionolux for its excellent finishing characteristics and said, “[The] color was great!” He said several patients could not tell where the restorations had been placed because they matched so well. Available in shades A1, A2, A3, A3.5, and B1, Ionolux exhibits composite-like esthetics with excellent translucency and impressive polish ability, according to VOCO. Dr. Eric Van Zytveld said Class V GI restorations are normally difficult to polish and often have poor esthetics, but that was not the case with Ionolux. “Ionolux polishes very well and produces esthetic restorations that match very well,” he concluded.

Calling it “great for quick pedo restorations and emergency repairs,” Dr. Pursel said he would purchase Ionolux in the future and recommends it to his colleagues. And Dr. Sikora concluded, “This is an excellent product with high fluoride-releasing characteristics. If you have not used RMGI products in the past, this is the one to try!”