Composite Cements
– Composite cements are composite materials with a higher percentage of resin and smaller particle sizes to reduce viscosity.
– They are sometimes referred to as resin cements.
– Originally they had a very high film thickness.
– Before the development of dentinal bonding systems, leakage of composite cements was common and caused postoperative sensitivity.
– Modern composite cements have an improved film thickness (thinner).
– With the use of a dentinal bonding system composite cements are the favorite
luting material of many clinicians.
– They are the material of choice for luting all ceramic restorations.
– If the ceramic material is properly etched and silanated, composite cement will bond the
restoration to the underlying tooth structure.
– Composite cements are also useful for re-cementing poorly fitting crowns when the patient does not wish to have the inadequate crown remade.
– Many types of composite cement systems are available.
– They come as chemically activated, light-activated, and dual-cure systems.
– The activation method of the cement should be the same as the activation method of the accompanying bonding system.
– This combination of cement and bonding system can be quite complex and
requires attention to detail.
– Many times an additional component is added to the dentinal bonding system to change a light activated bonding system to a dual-cure bonding system.
– It is important to note self-etching one-step dentinal bonding systems are not compatible with chemically activated composite cements.
– Regardless of product used, the tooth must not be contaminated by oral fluids during the
application of the dentinal bonding agent and cement, and the seating of the crown.
– Although one assistant may be adequate, for some products, use of a second assistant is wise.
– Composite cements come as a single paste if light activated.
– Single paste light-activated materials are used to bond veneers and orthodontic brackets.
– Dual cure and chemically-activated products are supplied as two pastes and are mixed on a paper pad with a plastic spatula.
– As composite cements are used with esthetic restorations such as veneers, composite
cements come in a variety of shades.
– The color of the cement can change the appearance of an esthetic restoration.
– Some products include try-in pastes to allow evaluation of the restoration with a specific shade.
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