Glass Ionomer Cement adheres to which substrates?

• A. Enamel, dentin, and metallic materials
• B. Enamel only
• C. Dentin only
• D. Cementum and bone

Answer: (A)

Glass ionomer cement bonds through chemical interaction with both tooth structure and metal surfaces. The polyacrylic acid in the cement can chelate calcium ions in hydroxyapatite, giving a chemical bond to enamel and to dentin. It can also form bonds with metal oxides on the surface of metallic restorative materials, allowing adhesion to metals. That combination—enamel, dentin, and metals—explains why this cement is described as adhering to enamel, dentin, and metallic materials. The other options miss one of these substrates (enamel or dentin or metal), so they don’t capture the full adhesion capability of the material.