Glass ionomer cements are the commonly used restorative material in young children. They adhere to slightly moist enamel and dentin without the need of any adhesive system, release fluoride and have anticariogenic properties. But their disadvantages include poor tensile and flexural strength which may result in a higher rate of early fractures and also occlusal wear compared to other filling materials. To overcome these poor mechanical properties of glass ionomers, several modifications have been introduced to the conventional glass ionomer cements. Hence the aim of this paper is to review the modifications undergone by glass ionomer cement to improve their physicochemical properties.