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British Journal of Healthcare and Medical Research - Vol. 10, No. 5
Publication Date: October 25, 2023
DOI:10.14738/bjhmr.105.15714.
Altinawi, A. (2023). Image Visualization and Mechanical Measurements on Biocompatible Glass Ionomer Restorative Cement. British
Journal of Healthcare and Medical Research, Vol - 10(5). 250-258.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Image Visualization and Mechanical Measurements on
Biocompatible Glass Ionomer Restorative Cement
Amir Altinawi
Biomedical Technology Department,
College of Applied Medical Sciences,
King Saud University, 11433, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
The present study aimed to corroborate image visualization techniques with
mechanical measurements on biocompatible glass ionomer restorative cement of
different compositions. Commercially available biocompatible glass ionomer
restorative cement (BGIRC) was mixed with Arabic Gum (AG) powder with different
weight percentages (0, 0.5, 2, 4, & 8). Mean and variance values were measured for
image visualization. Additionally, diametral tensile strength and compressive
strength tests were used to measure the mechanical properties. T-test and Tukey’s
post hoc tests were used to find any statistical significance among the data. The
findings revealed that mean values for the image visualization technique displayed
the same pattern as diametral and compressive strength tests and their values. The
mean values also displayed a significant difference between the groups with
different wt.% of AG powder when mixed with BGIRC. Image visualization
parameter i.e., mean values and mechanical testing i.e., diametral tensile strength
surfaced a method in emphasizing the properties of the BGIRC with AG. Although
the diametral tensile strength test is a more reliable method for identifying the
mechanical properties of BGIRC with AG, image visualization displays a factual
evaluation of the material.
Keywords: Image visualization, Mechanical measurement, Restorative cement, Arabic
gum.
INTRODUCTION
Biocompatible glass ionomer restorative cement (BGIRC) plays a vital role in dentistry due to
its composition and multipurpose application within the field [1]. It is formed using powdered
glass, and polyacrylic acid which yields a paste-like solution. The most significant property of
BGIRC is their adhesive ability which enables them to form bonds with dental-compatible
materials and specifically to tooth structures [2]. The common use of BGIRC is the restoration
of cavities, cementation of dental bridges and crowns, and attaching of orthodontic brackets
and bands [2]. Additionally, BGIRC tends to free fluoride ions at regular intervals, a quality
that paves the way to the re-mineralization and protection of other dental tissues and also
stops decay around dental restorations [3]. Besides having adhesive properties and
discharging fluoride ions, they are also unshrinkable, quickly fixed, and less sensitive to post- operative treatment [4]. Recently BGIRC has been used for aesthetic purposes the most, as
they can emulate natural tooth color when combined with other biomaterials [5]. The Arabic
Gum (AG), commonly known as Acacia gum as it is extracted from Acacia trees is a natural
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Altinawi, A. (2023). Image Visualization and Mechanical Measurements on Biocompatible Glass Ionomer Restorative Cement. British Journal of
Healthcare and Medical Research, Vol - 10(5). 250-258.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/bjhmr.105.15714.
polymer that is used in numerous industries as it has various applications [6]. The AG is
widely used in cosmetic and personal care, edible, and pharmaceutical industries due to its
chemical composition, and solubility properties [7]. Moreover, the usage of AG is not harmful
to the environment as it is biodegradable [8]. The Arabic gum also exhibits adhesive and
biocompatible characteristics just like BGIRC, thus making it safe to use for oral purposes [9].
Additionally, AG is widely used as a binding substance for drug products and texture
improvement in the food industry [10]. Other than conventional testing such as mechanical
and chemical tests, the Image Visualization (IV) technique is becoming common and
preferred in various industries [11, 12]. Using the IV technique, materials or surface qualities
can be objectively assessed. Properties extracted through IV serve as crucial tools across the
food industry and materials science studies. The main aim of using IV is to simplify the
evaluation by analyzing the textures present on the surface of the substance or material. It
can be carried out by using tests in the laboratory using machines, or using image processing
software. The most common image visualization scale is the mean and the variance [13], they
are the statistical term used to measure the features of the texture. By using IV, we can identify
porosity, roughness, graininess, and tractability [14]. Besides using IV, conventional testing
methods such as diametral tensile strength and compressive strength tests primarily serve as
a way to predict the properties of biomaterials. The accuracy and reliability of diametral
tensile strength and compressive strength tests have been in practice in the field of dentistry
for a long [4]. Using diametral tensile strength and compressive strength tests is time- consuming and wastage is produced. However, diametral tensile strength and compressive
strength tests are prerequisites for many commercially available dental biomaterials to fulfil
safety, quality, and regulatory compliance for dental practitioners [15]. Earlier studies are
available on the mechanical properties of different biocompatible materials using AG [6, 16,
17]. However, to date, no study is available to support BGIRC with AG using an image
visualization approach as well as mechanical properties. In the present study, the findings of
the image visualization and mechanical properties are carried out using BGIRC with AG.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Design
The current study was designed to corroborate a relationship between the mechanical values
and image visualization measurements on biocompatible glass ionomer restorative cement
with oxidized AG powder.
Gum Arabia Oxidization Process
Gum Arabic Powder of 1 gram was added to 20 ml distilled water gradually with a constant
stirring using a wooden stirrer for 30 minutes and was heated at 70 degrees centigrade. Later
30 ml of 30% H2O2 was added to supplement a catalytic amount of FeSO4 of 2 gms. The
solution was heated at 100 degrees centigrade for almost 120 minutes with additions of
distilled water at regular intervals to maintain the quantity of the solution. Finally, the peroxide
strip test was used to check the reaction, and using a vacuum water was evaporated.
Preparation of Samples
In the present study, disk-shaped samples were prepared using commercially available
biocompatible glass ionomer restorative cement i.e., GC Fuji II (GC Corporation, Tokyo Japan).
Different weight percentages (0.5, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0) of the GC Fuji II BGIRC were added to the
AG oxidized powder (size 50 to 120 microns). Initially, the GC Fuji II and AG oxidized powder
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British Journal of Healthcare and Medical Research (BJHMR) Vol 10, Issue 5, October- 2023
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
was mixed manually, and later to optimize the mixture a vibrator was used for 5 minutes. One
GC Fuji II BGIRC was prepared without using AG oxidized powder for the control group. The
liquid and powder ratio used for mixing the GC Fuji II BGIRC and AG oxidized powder was 1:1
(i.e., powder: liquid ratio) according to the standard, see Table 1. All the samples were prepared
by mixing the GC Fuji II BGIRC and AG oxidized powder till a uniform appearance was visible
and later poured into a custom-made silicon mould. Thus, each study group sample was disk- shaped having dimensions of 3 mm height and 5 mm diameter. After 40 minutes each sample
was removed from the mould and placed in an incubator for 24 hours at 37 degrees centigrade
and later stored in labelled containers for the study.
Table 1: Details of the preparation of each sample group to understand the powder:
liquid ratio used in the study.
No of samples Group with wt.% of A. G Powder Formulation (gm)
6 G1; Control: 0.0 wt.% A. G 4.00
6 G2; Control: 0.5 wt.% A. G 4.02
6 G3; Control: 2.0 wt.% A. G 4.08
6 G4; Control: 4.0 wt.% A. G 4.16
6 G5; Control: 8.0 wt.% A. G 4.32
Image Acquisition
After preparation of all the samples, image acquisition was carried out using a
Stereomicroscope (SMZ1000, Nikon, Tokyo, Japan), see Figure 1. To increase accuracy and
achieve optimal reading 3 different samples for each group were examined. Thus, a total of 15
images (3 from each group) were acquired and saved for image analysis in default format i.e.,
jpg. Later all the jpg format images obtained were converted to bmp format files.
Figure 1: Image acquisition using stereomicroscope one sample from each group; (A) G1;
control group, (B) G2; AG powder 0.5 wt.%, (C) G3; AG powder 2 wt.%, (D) G4; AG powder 4
wt.%, (E) G5; AG powder 8 wt.
Image Visualization Analysis
Software MAZDA version 4.6 (Institute of Electronics, Technical University of Lodz, Poland)
was used to extract image parameters before mechanical measurements. Sample (n=3) from
every group were selected with an ROI of 600 pixels. A total of 15 images from 5 different