Solubility of glass ionomer cement in various acidic beverages at different time intervals: an in vitro study

Background: Glass Ionomer is a widely used cement in dentistry for luting and restoration purposes. This cement leaches a large amount of fluoride ions leading to an increase in the early solubility and disintegration in the oral fluids. The solubility of the cement is further aggravated when it is exposed to an acidic medium. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the solubility of glass ionomer cement (GIC) in various acidic beverages at different time intervals. Materials and Methods: Four commercially available beverages and distilled water was used as immersion media. The pH of the beverages was measured using a digital pH meter. Glass ionomer cement discs were prepared and immersed in beverages for 1 day, 24 hours and 7 days. After completing the immersion time in each beverage for a specific period, the specimens were retrieved and weighed. The solubility was calculated by subtracting the weight at the specific immersion period from the initial weight of the specimen.   Results: Immersion in distilled water demonstrated less solubility compared to immersion in acidic beverages. Among the acidic beverages, GIC immersed in MAAZA showed the maximum solubility compared to the other beverages. One-Way ANOVA displayed a significant difference (p=0.000) among the beverages at different time intervals. Conclusions: This study found that the GIC immersed in fruit juices with preservatives showed more solubility at all time intervals compared to the immersion in carbonated drinks