Influence of expanded graphene on physical and chemical properties, and in vitro toxicity of glass ionomer cements for luting
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/biid.v13.45910Keywords:
Glass ionomer cement, nanomaterials, chemical properties, expanded grapheneAbstract
Objective: To evaluate physical and chemical properties and in vitro toxicity of six luting glass ionomer cements (GICs) – Vidrion, Vitro Cem, Meron, Gold Label (GCGL), GC Fuji Plus (GCFP), and Riva Luting – incorporated with expanded graphene to correct the GICs’ deficiencies.
Methodology: Expanded graphene was incorporated into GICs at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%. Disc-shaped specimens (4 × 2 mm) were fabricated and submitted to an erosive challenge (EC) by immersion in 30 mL of lactic acid/lactate solution (pH 2.74) for 24 h at 37°C. Thickness, surface roughness (Ra), and microhardness were evaluated before and after EC. Fluoride release was measured in the acid solution. Radiopacity was evaluated in specimens (15 ± 1 mm; n = 3), and gray values were analyzed with ImageJ. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the neutral red uptake assay using L929 fibroblasts exposed to DMEM extracts.
Results: No microhardness loss after EC was observed in Vitro Cem 0.25% (p = 0.056) and 0.5% (p = 0.457) or Meron 0.5% (p = 0.167), while Vidrion 0.5% showed increased hardness (p < 0.001). Surface roughness remained unchanged in Meron, GCGL, and Riva Luting. Riva Luting containing 0.25% (p < 0.01) and 1% rGO (p < 0.01) released more fluoride compared with the control. GCGL showed improved cell viability at all expanded graphene concentrations. Vidrion demonstrated greater radiopacity with expanded graphene addition, and Meron exhibited enhanced radiopacity at all concentrations. Worsening effects were observed, including reduced fluoride release in GCFP 1% (p < 0.05), decreased cell viability in GCFP (45% reduction), Meron, and Vitro Cem at all percentages, and increased microhardness loss in Vitro Cem 1%, Meron 0.5%, and GCFP at all concentrations.
Conclusion: Expanded graphene incorporation produced positive, neutral, and negative effects depending on the GIC and concentration.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sarah Pereira Martins, Carolina Mara Geraldino Monteiro, Renan Rocha da Silva, Andrea Vaz Braga Pintor, Marcela Baraúna Magno, Maria Augusta Visconti, Maria Teresa Villela Romanos, Livia Rodrigues de Menezes, Lucianne Cople Maia, Matheus Melo Pithon
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