The differences in surface roughness and hardness of glass ionomers cement coated with vaseline and cocoa butter after immersion in UHT milk

Background: Dental caries affects 513.8 million children globally, and glass ionomer cement (GIC) is a common treatment due to its fluoride release. However, GIC is moisture-sensitive and prone to solubility during maturation. UHT milk, often consumed by children, disrupts ionic bonds on GIC surfaces affecting roughness and hardness. Increased surface roughness leads to plaque accumulation, while decreased surface hardness ensures compressive strength and abrasion resistance. Coating agents like vaseline and cocoa butter help preserve GIC properties by maintaining roughness and hardness. Purpose: To analyze differences in surface roughness and hardness values of GIC treated with vaseline, cocoa butter, and without coating after being immersed in UHT milk for 7 days. Methods: The experimental study used a post-test control group design with three groups of six specimens each, immersed in UHT milk for seven days. Groups included GIC without coating, coated with vaseline, and cocoa butter. The test results were then measured using a surface roughness tester and Vickers hardness tester and analyzed using the ANOVA. Results: GIC coating with vaseline has the lowest value of surface roughness and highest surface hardness, followed by GIC coating with cocoa butter and without coating. However, the three groups did not have significant differences in statistical data analysis. Conclusion: There is no difference in the surface roughness and hardness values of GIC without coating, coated with vaseline, or cocoa butter after being immersed in UHT milk for 7 days.