Liners & Bases

Liners and Bases — Calcium Hydroxide, RMGIC, GIC & Cavity Varnishes for Pulp Protection

Liners and bases are thin sub-restoration cements placed on the cavity floor before composite or amalgam to protect the pulp from thermal shock, chemical irritation and bacterial microleakage; release calcium and fluoride for remineralisation; and provide a stress-bearing dentine replacement under indirect restorations. Dentalkart stocks light-cure calcium hydroxide liners, resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGIC) bases, conventional GIC bases and cavity varnishes from Ultradent, Meta, MAARC, GC, D-Tech, NeoEndo and Vishal Dentocare.

Types of Liner and Base Material

Light-cure calcium hydroxide liner

Light-cure resin-modified calcium hydroxide liner placed in thin film (~0.5 mm) on the deepest part of the cavity floor — releases hydroxide ions to neutralise bacterial acids and stimulates reparative dentine. Indicated for indirect and direct pulp capping in deep cavities. For example, Ultradent Ultra-Blend Plus Dentin Refill and MAARC Calx LC.

Resin-modified glass ionomer base (RMGIC)

RMGIC base placed in a thicker layer (1–2 mm) as a dentine-replacement base under composite or amalgam — chemically bonds to dentine, releases fluoride, command-cures with light. For example, Meta Biner LC and Vishal Dentocare VLG I-Seal Light-Cured Glass Ionomer Cement.

Conventional GIC base / restorative

Conventional Type II GIC used as a dentine-replacement base under composite (sandwich technique) or amalgam — fluoride release, chemical bond to dentine, radiopaque. For example, D-Tech Lute Plus Strontium Glass Ionomer Cement and NeoEndo NeoCem Restorative GIC Type 2.

Cavity varnish and protective coating

Resin solvent-based varnish or surface-protective coating that seals dentinal tubules and reduces microleakage at the restoration-tooth interface — applied as a thin film with a microbrush. For example, GC Fuji Varnish and D-Tech Lono Coat Protective Varnish Coating.

When Liners and Bases Are Used

• Deep Class I and II cavities approaching the pulp (calcium hydroxide liner over pinpoint pulp exposures)
• Indirect pulp capping under composite or amalgam (calcium hydroxide + RMGIC base)
• Direct pulp capping over carious pulp exposures (calcium hydroxide)
• Dentine-replacement base in sandwich technique under composite (RMGIC, GIC)
• Surface sealing of fresh GIC restorations against early moisture contamination (cavity varnish)
• Protective coating over light-cured GIC during maturation
• Cervical desensitisation of exposed root dentine (cavity varnish)

How to Choose the Right Liner or Base

1. For pinpoint pulp exposure or near-exposure in a deep cavity place a thin light-cure calcium hydroxide liner (Ultradent Ultra-Blend Plus, MAARC Calx LC).
2. For routine deep Class I and II protection under composite use an RMGIC base (Meta Biner LC) in 1–2 mm thickness over the calcium hydroxide.
3. For sandwich technique under composite or amalgam pick a Type II GIC base (NeoEndo NeoCem Type 2, D-Tech Lute Plus).
4. For surface protection of a freshly placed GIC restoration apply a cavity varnish (GC Fuji Varnish) or protective coating (D-Tech Lono Coat).
5. Apply liners only over the deepest part of the cavity — not on enamel margins or on prepared dentine that will receive resin bonding (calcium hydroxide reduces dentine bond strength).
6. Light-cure each layer for 20 seconds with an LED ≥1000 mW/cm² and confirm full set per the manufacturer IFU before placing the final restoration.

Liner and Base Brands at Dentalkart

Dentalkart's liner and base range covers Ultradent (Ultra-Blend Plus light-cure calcium hydroxide), MAARC (Calx LC light-cure calcium hydroxide), Meta (Biner LC RMGIC base), Vishal Dentocare (VLG I-Seal light-cured GIC), D-Tech (Lute Plus Strontium GIC base and Lono Coat protective varnish), NeoEndo (NeoCem Restorative GIC Type 2) and GC (Fuji Varnish cavity varnish) — covering calcium hydroxide, RMGIC, GIC and cavity-varnish chemistries for pulp protection under direct and indirect restorations.

Why Buy Liners and Bases from Dentalkart

Every liner syringe, base bottle and varnish bottle is sourced direct from the manufacturer or authorised Indian distributor, ships sealed with original batch and expiry, and reaches 110000+ pincodes across India with COD on most restorative SKUs. Pair liners and bases with matched dental cements for the full pulp-protection-and-luting workflow from one trusted catalogue serving 50,000+ dentists.

What are liners and bases used for in dentistry?

Liners and bases are used to protect the dental pulp from thermal shock, chemical irritation and bacterial microleakage under composite and amalgam restorations. Calcium hydroxide liners are placed over pinpoint pulp exposures and near-exposures, RMGIC and GIC bases provide a dentine-replacement layer in deep cavities, and cavity varnishes seal the restoration-tooth interface.

What is the difference between a liner and a base?

The difference is thickness and function. A liner is a thin film (~0.5 mm) placed only on the deepest part of the cavity to provide a chemical barrier and stimulate reparative dentine — typically calcium hydroxide. A base is a thicker layer (1–2 mm) of RMGIC or GIC that replaces lost dentine and provides mechanical support for the final restoration.

When should I use calcium hydroxide versus RMGIC under composite?

Use calcium hydroxide (Ultradent Ultra-Blend Plus, MAARC Calx LC) only over pinpoint pulp exposures and very deep dentine — apply in a thin film, never on enamel or on dentine you intend to bond, since calcium hydroxide reduces resin bond strength. Use RMGIC (Meta Biner LC) as a thicker dentine-replacement base everywhere else under composite.

Do I need a cavity varnish under modern resin composite restorations?

You generally do not need a cavity varnish under modern resin composite restorations because the dentine bonding adhesive seals the tubules. Cavity varnishes (GC Fuji Varnish, D-Tech Lono Coat) are still useful to protect freshly placed conventional GIC restorations from early moisture contamination during the acid-base setting phase.

Are the liners and bases on Dentalkart genuine and CDSCO-compliant?

Yes, every liner and base on Dentalkart is genuine and CDSCO-compliant. All Ultradent, MAARC, Meta, GC, D-Tech, NeoEndo and Vishal Dentocare liners, bases and cavity varnishes ship in sealed primary packaging with original batch number and expiry printed on every syringe and bottle.