- The primary advantage of glass ionomer cement (GIC) in pediatric dental restorations lies in its fluoride release.
- This characteristic is particularly beneficial because fluoride helps in remineralizing the tooth structure and provides an ongoing protective effect against recurrent caries, which is a common concern in pediatric patients.

- While GIC does have adequate compressive strength, it is not as high as that of composite resins or other restorative materials, so option 1 is less relevant in this context.
- Additionally, GICs generally do not offer superior esthetics compared to composite resins, making option 3 incorrect.
- Lastly, glass ionomer cement is not hydrophobic; rather, it is somewhat hydrophilic, which allows it to tolerate some moisture during placement but does not prevent moisture contamination, hence option 4 is also incorrect.

In summary, the fluoride release from glass ionomer cement is the key characteristic that makes it especially suitable for pediatric dentistry, promoting caries prevention and enhanced tooth protection.

Reference: Craig’s Restorative Dental Materials, 13th Edition, Chapter 8 / Page 210