Microhardness and Chemical Composition of Glass Ionomer and Glass Hybrid Cements Modified with Experimental Bioactive Glasses

Objectives: study was to evaluate the effect of bioactive glasses containing a small proportion of fluoride and zinc in lower (BAG1) and higher ratios (BAG2) on the Vickers microhardness (VHN), surface morphology and chemical composition of high-viscosity glass ionomer cement and glass hybrid cement. Materials and Methods: Fuji IX (Fuji) and Equia Forte HT (Equia) were modified with 5 wt% BAG1 and BAG2. Six groups were prepared and stored in distilled water: Fuji, Fuji+ BAG1, Fuji+BAG2, Equia, Equia+ BAG1, and Equia+BAG2. BAG1 and BAG2 were characterized using FTIR. VHN was measured after 24 hours and 7 days. Representative samples from all groups were stored in phosphate buffered solution and analyzed using SEM-EDS. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and paired t-tests (α = 0.05). Results: Fuji and Fuji+BAG1 showed the highest VHN at both time points, whereas BAG2 significantly reduced microhardness compared to original materials Fuji and Equia (p