Objectives: To evaluate the effect of the addition of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the antibacterial and physical properties of glass ionomer cement (GIC). Methods: A conventional GIC, Fuji IX, was used as a control. EGCG was incorporated into GIC at 0.1% (w/w) and used as the experimental group. Chlorhexidine (CHX) was added into GIC at 1% (w/w) as a positive control. The anti-biofilm effect of the materials was assessed by a colorimetric technique (MTT assay) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The leaching antibacterial activity of the materials on Streptococcus mutans was evaluated by an agar-diffusion test. The flexural strength of the materials was evaluated using a universal testing machine and the surface microhardness was measured using a microhardness tester. The fluoride-releasing property of the materials was tested by ion chromatography. Results: The optical density (OD) values of the GIC-EGCG group were significantly decreased at 4 h compared with the GIC group, but only a slightly decreased tendency was observed at 24 h (P > 0.05). No inhibition zones were detected in the GIC group during the study period. Significant differences were found between each group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, there was a significant increase in the flexural strength and surface microhardness for the GIC-EGCG group (P < 0.05). The fluoride ion release was not influenced by EGCG-incorporation (P > 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggested that GIC-containing 0.1% (w/w) EGCG is a promising restorative material with improved mechanical properties and a tendency towards preferable antibacterial properties. Clinical significance: Modification of the glass ionomer cements with EGCG to improve the antibacterial and physical properties showed some encouraging results. This suggested that the modification of GIC with EGCG might be an effective strategy to be used in the dental clinic. However, this was only an in vitro study and clinical trials would need to verify true outcomes. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.