Update on Dental Luting Materials

Abstract

A dental luting material aids in the retention and stability of indirect restorations on the prepared tooth structure. In dentistry, clinicians are using a wide range of luting materials for the cementation of indirect restorations. Zinc oxide eugenol and non-eugenol cements, zinc phosphate cement, zinc polycarboxylate cement, glass ionomer cement and resin cements are common dental cements used in dentistry. Each luting material or cement possesses unique properties and clinical implications. An ideal luting cement should be biocompatible, insoluble, resistant to thermal and chemical assaults, antibacterial, aesthetic, simple and easy to use. It should have high strength properties under tension, shear and compression to resist stress at the restoration–tooth interface, as well as adequate working and setting times. So far, no luting material possesses all of these properties of an ideal cement. Scientists have been modifying the conventional luting cements to improve the material’s clinical performance and developing novel materials for clinical use. To achieve the best clinical outcome, clinicians should update their knowledge and gain a good understanding of the luting materials so that they can make a wise clinical decision on the material selection and obtain an insight into the development of luting cements. Therefore, the objective of this study is to provide a discussion on the physical, chemical, adhesive and aesthetic properties of common luting materials. The clinical indications of these luting materials are suggested based on their properties. In addition, overviews of the modification of the conventional luting materials and the newly developed luting materials are provided.

Dental Luting Cements: An Updated Comprehensive Review

“…The various types of luting agents with common examples are shown in Figure 1 [ 1 , 5 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Water-based luting cements release fluoride, such as glass-ionomer, resin-modified glass-ionomer, and zinc phosphate and zinc polycarboxylate cements [ 17 ], while resin cements are chemically similar to composite resins, which provide maximum strength to the tooth and indirect restoration when bonded with dental adhesives [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…There are different performances between cements and even between different manufacturers that claim to produce the same product. Therefore, before applying the luting cements, it is extremely important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use [ 16 ], as well as to perform all the suitable surface treatments on the restoration and substrate. Cements can also be divided into two groups: adhesive and non-adhesive ( Table 1 ).…”

“…In addition, they must have high fracture strength, optimal wettability (small wetting angle), and sufficient viscosity for complete spreading, as well as be esthetic when used in combination with a restorative material. Moreover, removing the excess material should be easy [ 5 , 16 , 22 ].…”

Materials informatics for developing new restorative dental materials: a narrative review

“…The conventional GIC is made of calcium fluoro-aluminosilicate glass powder combined with water-soluble polycarboxylic acid. Resin composite cements can be divided into adhesive and self-adhesive resin cements (35). The former has a composition similar to that of restorative resin composites, with a lower filler concentration to ensure a thin film thickness and an acceptable working time (36).…”

“…The latter allows tooth restoration adherence without the use of separate adhesives and etchants. The major constituents of self-adhesive resin cement include functional acidic monomers, conventional dimethacrylate monomers, fillers, and activator-initiator systems (35). Mechanical strength and handling properties are important properties to consider when using different luting cements.…”