(+)-Tartaric acid is incorporated into glass-ionomer dental cements to control the setting characteristics. FTIR has been used to examine the cements as they set, and has confirmed previous results that (+)-tartaric acid reacts more readily with the glass than does poly(acrylic acid), thereby delaying the setting of the cement. Subsequently, ions released by the glass become available for reaction with the polyacid, and gelation occurs. (+)-Tartaric acid not only reacts rapidly to yield calcium tartrate, but also enhances the rate at which aluminum polyacrylate is formed within the cement. Mesotartaric acid, by contrast, while rapidly forming calcium tartrate, does not enhance the rate of aluminum polyacrylate formation. As a result, this latter isomer merely suppresses the setting process; unlike (+)-tartaric acid, it does not also sharpen the set.