Disclosed herein are curable glass ionomer compositions that include a first paste and a second paste, and methods for using the disclosed compositions. The first paste includes water, a polyacid, and a non acid-reactive filler. The second paste includes water, an acid-reactive filler; and non-aggregated, water-miscible, nano-sized silica particles having at least 25% surface coverage of the particles with a silane. The composition is essentially free of a resin. In some embodiments, the water content of the first paste and the second paste of the paste/paste GI composition disclosed herein is less than 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.