In Vitro Assessment of Fibroin Silk Incorporated Glass Ionomer Cement for Solubility

Background: Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is widely used in restorative dentistry due to its biocompatibility and fluoride-releasing properties. Incorporating silk fibroin into GIC has shown promise for enhancing its mechanical properties and reducing solubility, potentially improving its clinical performance.Objective: This study aimed to compare the solubility of commercially available glass ionomer cement (control) with GIC modified with silk fibroin at 1%, 3%, and 5% by weight.Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Sardar Begum Dental College and Hospital – Peshawar. Specimens were prepared according to ISO guidelines using silk fibroin incorporated at 1%, 3%, and 5% concentrations by weight, mixed through a ball milling process. Solubility tests were performed by immersing specimens in distilled water at 37°C for 7 days. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 16.0, with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test used to determine significant differences (p < 0.05).Results: Mean solubility values for the control group (Group A) were 0.000050 µg/mm³, while 1% silk fibroin (Group B) showed 0.000056 µg/mm³. The 3% silk fibroin group (Group C) demonstrated the lowest solubility at 0.000028 µg/mm³, while 5% silk fibroin (Group D) exhibited the highest solubility at 0.000084 µg/mm³. One-way ANOVA confirmed significant differences among the groups (F = 32.159, p < 0.001), with Tukey's HSD test revealing significant reductions in solubility in Group C compared to Groups A and B (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Incorporating 3% silk fibroin significantly reduced the solubility of GIC, indicating its suitability for improved dental applications. Further studies should optimize fibroin concentrations for broader clinical use.Keywords: Dental materials, Glass ionomer cement, Silk fibroin, Solubility.