File:Clinical Update Vol. 26, No. 3 (IA 04003DentalLutingCements).pdf

Dental luting cements
Lieutenant Anton Petrich, DC, USNR, Captain John VanDercreek, DC, USN and Commander Kathleen Kenny, DC, USN

Introduction
The clinical success of fixed prosthodontic restorations can be complex and involve multifaceted procedures. Preparation design, oral hygiene/microflora, mechanical forces, and restorative materials are only a few of the factors which contribute to overall success. One key factor to success is choosing the proper luting cement. This clinical update will review several luting cements, their physical properties, clinical implications, and recommendations for usage.

An ideal luting cement would have: easy manipulation, low film thickness, long working time with rapid set, low solubility, high compressive and tensile strengths, high proportional limit, adhesion to tooth/restoration, anticariogenicity, biocompatibility, and translucency or radiopacity. Physical properties should be taken into consideration along with handling characteristics, technique sensitivity, and results from long term clinical trials.

Most cements are formed by an acid-base reaction. Liquids may be phosphoric acid, polyacrylic acid, or eugenol. Powders are either zinc oxide or aluminosilicate glass. Resin cements, however, are not acid-base formed but utilize BIS-GMA or urethane dimethacrylate resins. Cements can be classified into five groups: phosphate bonded, polycarboxylate bonded, phenolate bonded, resin cements, and glass ionomer/hybrid cements.