The full form of ASPA in dentistry is alumino-silicate polyacrylate. You might already know about glass ionomer cement which is also known as GIC. This was the self-adhesive filling which had the colour of the tooth. The same cement was also referred to as ASPA. The name ASPA comes from the composition of cement. The major constituents of ASPA are aluminosilicate glass and polyacrylic acid. ASPA offered the added advantage of quick setting and ease of handling. The biggest advantage of ASPA was that the colour could be modified to match the patient's tooth. This makes ASPA more aesthetic.
Over the years, ASPA has been modified further to get the best out of it. Today, it is even considered to be a smart dental material. ASPA is used not only for filling but also as a restorative material and for building the core before the crown placement. In many cases, dentists also use ASPA as a fissure sealant. ASPA easily bonds to tooth substances and non-precious metals. Moreover, it releases fluoride, and the thermal expansion coefficient of alumino-silicate polyacrylate is equal to that of the tooth.
Other full forms of ASPA are American Society of Physician Analysts, Allele-Specific Primer Amplification, American Society of Podiatric Assistants, Animals Scientific Procedures Act, Aspartase Gene and Asteropsin A.