Review: Finishing and polishing procedures of (resin-modified) glass ionomers and compomers in paediatric dentistry

Background A smooth surface has a beneficial effect on the aesthetic quality and longevity of a dental restoration, as well as on its biocompatibility with oral tissues. In this review studies on glass-ionomer cements (GIC), resin-modified glass-ionomer cements (RM-GIC), and compomers or polyacid-modified resin composites (PAM-C) were assessed as these are currently used in paediatric dentistry.Method Medline databases (USA National Library of Medicine) was searched using WinSpirs and Pubmed. This search used a keyword filter including dental materials, polishing procedures, and instrumentation including influencing factors.Findings Although the literature shows different commercially available tools it seems that the ideal polishing instrumentation in paediatric dentistry for GIC and compomers is not yet on the market. Furthermore, the constant development of dental materials and polishing products impose a need for continuous scientific research.