Dental cements

Abstract

A wide variety of dental cements continues to be used in clinical dentistry. No new system has been developed in the last few years, but the continued development of the glass ionomer and adhesive resin cements has extended clinical techniques and led to a decline in the use of the traditional phosphate and zinc oxide-eugenol materials. The more critical manipulation of the newer materials has led to problems related to marginal leakage and to pulpal sensitivity. Strong bonding to metallic surfaces can be achieved by appropriate surface treatments, but bonding to the tooth surface is less certain. More longer-term clinical research is required before new and improved cementing systems can be developed.