Lang, SpencerHao, JessicaMante, FrancisPavelic, KresimirOzer, Fusun2023-06-122023-06-122022-04-012022-06-29https://repository.upenn.edu/handle/20.500.14332/58678Zeolite can impart antibacterial properties to dental materials in the long-term when incorporated with inorganic cations. However, due to its porosity, it may jeopardize the mechanical integrity of the dental material. The aim of this project was to determine the effect on physical properties when zeolite is added to commercially available Ag-reinforced Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC). Sample groups were prepared according to the percentage of zeolite-clinoptilolite (0% - control, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4% wt) added to Ag-GIC. Water sorption, solubility, Vickers hardness, and flexural strength were determined. Specifically, 10 × 2 mm circular disks were fabricated for the Vickers hardness, water sorption, and water solubility tests and 25 × 5 × 2 mm bars were created for the flexural strength test. The results from the surface hardness, water sorption, and flexural strength tests suggested that adding 0.5–4% wt of zeolite to Ag-reinforced GIC did not diminish its physical properties. However, the water solubility results showed that higher concentrations (2–4% wt) of zeolite had a statistically significant increase in water solubility compared to the control. Up to 4% wt zeolite can be incorporated into Ag-reinforced GIC without compromising mechanical properties. Incorporation of 0.5–1% wt zeolite to Ag-reinforced GIC will maintain an adequate surface hardness, water sorption, and flexural strength without compromising water solubility. Further research is needed to determine the effects of higher water solubility on clinical efficacy of zeolite modified Ag-GIC. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2022, The Author(s).BiomaterialsDental restorative materialsGlass ionomer cementsPhysical propertiesZeolite clinoptiloliteGlass Ionomer CementsMaterials TestingSilverSurface PropertiesWaterZeolitesBending strengthCementsDental compositesDentistryGlassReinforcementSilverSolubilitySorptionWater vaporclinoptiloliteglass ionomersilverzeolitesilverwaterDental restorative materialsGlass ionomer cementReinforced glassSorption solubilityStrength testsSurface hardnessVicker hardnessWater solubilitiesWater sorptionZeolite clinoptiloliteantibacterial activityArticlecontrolled studydental restoration failureflexural strengthhardnessmouth infectionsurface propertyVickers hardnesswater hardnesswater immersionwater solubilitymaterials testingsurface propertyPhysical propertiesDental MaterialsDentistryArticle