Overview of the difficulties in modelling resin-modified glass-ionomers and compomers during curing

Resin-modified glass-ionomers and compomers are each complex materials, the chemistry of which involves polymerization and neutralization. Published literature shows that extent of polymerization contraction and of post-setting swelling vary with humidity and osmolarity of the storage medium. However, there are no published studies employing natural saliva, and no artificial saliva that is known to mimic the osmotic properties of natural saliva. Hence data that are fully representative of clinical behaviour are not available for use in mathematical models.