OBJECTIVE The early strength of glass ionomer cements was investigated previously (Cattani et al., 1993). Using the same set of glass ionomer cements, this study was designed to determine if mechanical property degradation occurred after an extended period of storage in water. METHODS In the present study, the effect of aging in water on the compressive, tensile and flexural strengths of twelve commercial glass ionomer cements was evaluated at different time intervals after the beginning of the setting reaction. The aging periods varied from 24 h to 12 mon. RESULTS The results show that the mechanical properties of the tested materials are in some cases affected by long-term aging in water. The evolution of strength follows distinct patterns of change. It has been established that the glass ionomer cements are neither characterized by a continuous increase nor a continuous decrease in strength. Most of the materials tested maintained a constant strength. However, several of them first display an improvement of the mechanical strength followed by a reduction. In this case, the 24h and the 12 mon strengths are usually similar. CONCLUSIONS The aging mechanisms of glass ionomers are complex. Strengthening probably results from additional crosslinking and build-up of a silica gel phase, whereas weakening may result from erosion and plasticizing effect of water.