A clinically focused discussion of luting materials

Abstract

A luting agent's primary function is to fill the minute void between an indirect restoration (definitive or provisional) and tooth (or implant abutment) and mechanically lock the restoration in place to prevent dislodgement during function. The purpose of this paper is to provide a clinically focused discussion on the broad spectrum of luting materials currently available to help the general practitioner make appropriate choices. Resins are typically formulated for a specific function or restoration and offer strength, aesthetics, flexible working times, and very low solubility yet are technique sensitive, expensive and often hard to clean-up. Glass-ionomers offer good strength and optical properties plus the potential for fluoride release ⁄ recharge but may have short working times, are sensitive to moisture or dehydration early on, and take time to fully set. Resin-modified glass-ionomers are hybrid, dual-phase materials which are manipulated like glass-ionomer but set quicker and are stronger. Zinc phosphate cement, used successfully for over a century to lute well-fitting metal and metal-ceramic definitive restorations, is a very inexpensive, rigid material which displays very high early compressive strength yet acidity and solubility can be problems. Polycarboxylate cement (a hybrid of zinc phosphate) has lower compressive strength but high tensile strength and may be less injurious to the pulp. Zinc oxide eugenol and zinc oxide noneugenol cements typically have good sealing abilities but their relatively low compressive and tensile strengths, inherent brittleness, and high solubility limit usage to provisional restorations or implant supported crowns. Claims for multipurpose or universal use by manufacturers can be somewhat confusing and overwhelming. Even so, the busy general practitioner must have sufficient knowledge to help choose an appropriate luting agent for each unique clinical situation.

Nanomechanical Comparison of Commonly Used Dental Crown Cements to a Newly Developed One

“…The fact that GCC is somewhere between GIC, PCC and SAC in terms of H nano and E r , comments for dental crown cement with reliable mechanical properties. Glass-ionomer, polycarboxylat and resin cements are well documented in the literature with acceptable long-term performance ability [11,12]. The results of the current study suggest an acceptable performance potential, considering the GCC dental crown luting agent.…”

“…While any cement has its advantages, dentists must carefully consider which is the most suitable for an individual case, depending on the material and substrate to be bonded [11,12]. Successful cement should be easy to use, excellent in adhesion with mechanical properties to withstand masticatory or parafunctional forces, and a long-term stability in the warm and wet oral environment, it should also be aesthetic and biocompatible [11].…”

Simulated localized wear of resin luting cements for universal adhesive systems with different curing mode

“…The filler load was reported to play a particularly important role in the wear resistance of resin-based materials, wherein higher filler loads have been shown to reduce the level of wear (5). The filler load values provided by the manufacturers varied greatly between the resin luting cements in the present study (Table 1), and the rank order of the filler load values of the tested resin luting cements in wt% (MA > CE > RU > GL > PV) and vol% (CE > RU > MA > GL = PV) were different from the simulated wear of both the dual-cure (GL < MA < PV < CL < RU) and chemical-cure (GL < MA < PV < CL < RU) groups.…”

“…Therefore, selection of effective luting cement is important for the long-term clinical success of these restorations (4). The durability of ceramic restorations has been increased using a resin luting cement with high-mechanical and low-solubility properties (5). Despite their improvement in physical properties, frequent interfacial and/or marginal defects have been clinically observed around bonded ceramic restorations (6).…”

Comparison of Hypersensitivity in Metal Ceramic Crowns cemented with Zinc Phosphate and Self-adhesive Resin: A Prospective Study

“…In dentistry, numerous luting agents are used, such as glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, polycarboxylate resins, and zinc phosphate. 1 An ideal luting agent should be nonirritating to pulp, should be anticariogenic in nature, should not cause hypersenstivity after placement of prostheses, and should be viscous, heat resistant, light transparent, etc. It is very difficult to have all properties in a single luting agent.…”