This study utilized spectrophotometry to evaluate in vitro superficial dye deposition on resin-modified glass ionomer, following different surface finishing and polishing treatments. Materials that were photocured adjacent to the mylar strip produced the surfaces with the lowest mean after superficial staining. A restorative technique without excesses resulted in a smoother surface and prolonged the life of the restoration. The resin-modified glass ionomers tested offer adequate clinical performance.516541543Attin, T., Vataschki, M., Hellwig, E., Properties of resin-modified glass-ionomer restorative materials and two polyacid-modified resin composite materials (1996) Quintessence Int, 27, pp. 203-209Mount, G.J., Glass-ionomers: A review of their current status (1999) Oper Dent, 24, pp. 115-124Benelli, E.M., Serra, M.C., Rodrigues Jr., A.L., Cury, J.A., In situ anticariogenic potential of glass ionomer cement (1993) Caries Res, 27, pp. 280-284Bourke, A.M., Walls, A.W., McCabe, J.F., Light-activated polyalkenoate (ionomer) cements: The setting reaction (1992) J Dent, 20, pp. 115-120Chen, R.C., Chan, D.C., Chan, K.C., A quantitative study of finishing and polishing techniques for a composite (1988) J Prosthet Dent, 59, pp. 292-297Cho, E., Kopel, H., White, S.N., Moisture susceptibility of resin-modified glass-ionomer materials (1995) Quintessence Int, 26, pp. 351-358Francci, C., Deaton, T.G., Arnold, R.R., Swift Jr., E.J., Perdigao, J., Bawden, J.W., Fluoride release from restorative materials and its effects on dentin demineralization (1999) J Dent Res, 78, pp. 1647-1654Kotsanos, N., An intraoral study of caries induced on enamel in contact with fluoride-releasing restorative materials (2001) Caries Res, 35, pp. 200-204Eichmiller, F.C., Marjenhoff, W.A., Fluoride-releasing dental restorative materials (1998) Oper Dent, 23, pp. 218-228Dhummarungrong, S., Moore, B.K., Avery, D.R., Properties related to strength and resistance to abrasion of VariGlass VLC, Fuji II L.C., Ketac-Silver, and Z-100 composite resin (1994) ASDC J Dent Child, 61, pp. 17-20Eide, R., Tveit, A.B., Finishing and polishing glass-ionomer cements (1990) Acta Odontol Scand, 48, pp. 409-413Forsten, L., Resin-modified glass-ionomer cements: Fluoride release and uptake (1995) Acta Odontol Scand, 53, pp. 222-225Gaintantzopoulou, M.D., Willis, G.P., Kafrawy, A.H., Pulp reactions to light cured glass ionomer cements (1994) Am J Dent, 7, pp. 39-42Gladys, S., Van Meerbeek, B., Braem, M., Lambrechts, P., Vanherle, G., Comparative physico-mechanical characterization of new hybrid restorative materials with conventional glass-ionomer and resin composite restorative materials (1997) J Dent Res, 76, pp. 883-894Donly, K.J., Segura, A., Wefel, J.S., Hogan, M.M., Evaluating the effects of fluoride-releasing dental materials on adjacent interproximal caries (1999) J Am Dent Assoc, 130, pp. 817-825Mount, G.J., Some physical and biological properties of glass ionomer cement (1995) Int Dent J, 45, pp. 135-140Tate, W.H., Powers, J.M., Surface roughness of composites and hybrid ionomers (1996) Oper Dent, 21, pp. 53-58Paulillo, L.A.M.S., Coradazzi, J.L., Serra, M.C., Freitas, S.F., Staining of glass ionomer cement: A spectrophotometric study (1994) Am J Dent, 7, pp. 345-347Paulillo, L.A.M.S., (1995) Dye Superficial Roughness Evaluation of a Glass Ionomer Cement Submitted to Superficial Finishing and Polishing [Thesis], , São Paulo, Brazil: University of São PauloChan, K.C., Fuller, J.L., Hormati, A.A., The ability of foods to stain two composite resins (1980) J Prosthet Dent, 43, pp. 542-545Cooley, R.L., Barkmeier, W.W., Matis, B.A., Siok, J.F., Staining of posterior resin restorative materials (1987) Quintessence Int, 18, pp. 823-827Hachiya, Y., Iwaku, M., Hosoda, H., Fusayama, T., Relation of finish to discoloration of composite resins (1984) J Prosthet Dent, 52, pp. 811-814Matis, B.A., Carlson, T., Cochran, M., Phillips, R.W., How finishing affects glass-ionomers. Results of a five year evaluation (1991) J Am Dent Assoc, 122, pp. 43-46Smales, R.J., Clinical use of ASPA glass ionomer cement (1981) Brit Dent J, 151, pp. 58-60Barry, T.I., Clinton, D.J., Wilson, A.D., The structure of a glass-ionomer cement and its relationship to the setting process (1979) J Dent Res, 58, pp. 1072-1079Sidhu, S.K., Watson, T.F., Resin-modified glass ionomer materials. A status report for the America Journal Dentistry (1995) Am J Dent, 8, pp. 59-67Tay, W.M., An update on glass ionomer cements (1995) Dent Update, 22, pp. 283-286Chung, K.H., Effects of finishing and polishing procedures on the surface texture of resin composites (1994) Dent Mater, 10, pp. 325-330Woolford, M.J., Finishing glass polyalkenoate (glass-ionomer) cements (1988) Br Dent J, 165, pp. 395-399