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The dentist's secret weapon: Which dental cement is the best at fighting bacteria?
Dental cements have a wide range of applications in dentistry and orthodontics, including temporary restorations of teeth, protection within fillings, sedation or thermal insulation, and bonding of fixed dentures. With the advancement of technology, the use of dental cement has even extended to neuroscience research, such as using two-photon calcium imaging to observe neural activity in animal models. The variety of compositions and mixing methods of these cements provides dentists with flexibility in their operation.
Traditional cement consists of powder and liquid, allowing doctors to adjust working time, proportion and consistency according to their needs.
Nowadays, many dental cements have been developed in the direction of intelligence. For example, glass ionomer cement (GIC) is mixed through mechanical equipment to provide a more precise usage experience. Furthermore, resin cements are classified as a type of polymer-based composite materials, which generally require specific curing methods and are classified according to ISO 4049: 2019.
Ideal cement properties
High biocompatibility is an important property of dental cements, and zinc phosphate cement is considered one of the most biocompatible materials due to its low allergic potential, although it can cause soreness in some cases. Other necessary features include:
- Non-irritating: Polycarboxylate cement is considered the most sensitive type.
- Antibacterial properties: can prevent the occurrence of secondary tooth decay.
- Good edge closure: avoid edge leakage.
- Has good dissolution resistance in oral fluids.
Applications of dental cement
The uses of dental cements can be summarized into several main categories, depending on the composition and mixing of the cement:
Temporary fix
Since cements generally have low mechanical properties, they are more commonly used as temporary repair materials, mainly including:
- Glass ionomer cement (GIC)
- Zinc polycarboxylate cement
- Zinc oxide eugenol cement
Adhesive alloy repair
Aluminum alloys do not bond naturally to tooth tissue and usually require mechanical locking. However, if the tooth tissue in the cavity preparation is insufficient to provide this locking function, cement can be used to assist in fixing the alloy. For example, since the mid-1980s, resin cement has been the best choice.
Liners and Pulp Protection
When the cavity is close to the pulp chamber, a base or liner is recommended to protect the pulp from injury. Corresponding cements include zinc oxide eugenol, zinc polycarboxylate and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). If there is suspicion that the pulp may be compromised, pulp capping should be considered.
Composition and classification of dental cement
Dental cements are often classified based on their composition and fall into a variety of categories, including:
- Water-based acid-base cement: such as zinc phosphate, zinc polycarboxylate and glass ionomer cement.
- Non-water-based acid-base cement: such as zinc oxide eugenol oil and non-eugenol zinc oxide.
- Resin-based cement: including self-adhesive resin cement.
The bane and ban of dental cement
It is important to note that some dental materials may cause allergic reactions if used in the mouth for a long time. Common allergic reactions include oral synovitis, dermatitis, etc., and may lead to severe allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock. Many dentists have turned to glass ionomer cement to reduce the risk of allergies.
In daily dental practice, choosing the right dental cement not only affects treatment outcomes but can also have a profound impact on patient comfort and safety. So, with so many different options, which dental cement do you choose to fight bacteria?
