Cements

Dental Cement — Luting, Restorative and Temporary

Cement is what stands between a well-made crown and a crown on the floor. It comes in three working groups:

• Luting cements fix crowns, bridges, inlays and posts permanently.
• Restorative cements fill a cavity directly.
• Temporary cements hold a provisional, then release cleanly.

Within a group, the substrate decides the chemistry. Zirconia, metal, dentine and a post each bond differently.

Which dental cement should I use?

• Zirconia, e.max or a ceramic crown — self-adhesive resin cement.
• Metal or PFM crown, and posts — resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGIC).
• Class V, ART and paediatric fillings — conventional glass ionomer.
• Posterior filling instead of amalgam — reinforced GIC or alkasite.
• A provisional crown — temporary cement, non-eugenol if resin comes next.
• Pulp capping or a perforation — MTA or bioceramic. Nothing else.

Permanent luting cements

Self-adhesive resin cement

The strongest bond, and the fewest steps. It grips zirconia, e.max, metal, dentine and posts with no separate etch-and-bond stage, and dual-cures under a restoration the light barely reaches. That makes it the default for ceramic crowns — and it holds even on a short or over-tapered prep.

The 3M ESPE RelyX U200 is the standard choice here.

Resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGIC)

The middle ground: fluoride release at the margin, plus enough bond strength for a crown. Adding resin to a glass ionomer gives a faster set and lower solubility than conventional GIC. It is the routine pick for metal and PFM crowns, and for posts.

GC Fuji Plus is the reference RMGIC luting cement.

Polycarboxylate cement

The gentlest cement on the pulp. It bonds to dentine without releasing free acid, so it suits a deep prep where pulpal irritation is the worry. Pyrax Polycarboxylate Cement is a straightforward powder-liquid version.

Restorative cements

Conventional glass ionomer

GIC bonds chemically to dentine, needs no bonding agent, and releases fluoride for years. It is not the strongest material here, and it does not need to be. Where it earns its place:

• Class V and cervical lesions
• Paediatric work and ART, where isolation is imperfect
• Bases and liners under composite

Shofu Glasionomer Cement Version 2 is a conventional GIC of this type.

Reinforced GIC and alkasite — replacing amalgam

Plain GIC is too weak for a load-bearing posterior cavity. Zirconia or ceramic particles lift the compressive strength enough for occlusal work, which makes Shofu Zirconomer Improved a credible amalgam replacement.

Alkasite gets there another way — a self-cure restorative that releases calcium, hydroxide and fluoride ions to buffer acid at the margin. Cention N is the alkasite everyone means when they say alkasite.

Temporary cement — and the eugenol trap

A temporary cement must hold the provisional, then let go without a fight. The catch is eugenol: eugenol residue inhibits resin polymerisation.

• Final crown going in with resin cement? Use a non-eugenol temporary. Always.
• Going in with GIC or zinc phosphate? Eugenol is fine, and it sedates the pulp.

Meta NETC is a non-eugenol temporary cement.

For sealing an endodontic access cavity between visits, 3M ESPE Cavit G is the ready-mixed material that expands slightly to seal.

MTA and bioceramics

Not luting cements, and never to be used as one. These are for the pulp and the root — pulp capping, perforation repair, apexification and root-end filling. They set in the presence of blood, seal well and are biocompatible with vital pulp, which no ZOE or GIC can claim.

Prevest DenPro MTA Plus Aqua covers this work.

Our guide to MTA vs bioceramic repair materials compares the two chemistries case by case.

Why buy dental cements from Dentalkart

Cement is date-critical and moisture-critical. GIC powder that has taken up humidity will still mix and set — just not to the strength on the datasheet. You find that out months later, when the crown comes off.

Every cement here ships sealed with its batch and expiry legible, and each listing states its chemistry, curing mode and whether it lutes, restores or provisionalises.

Cement rarely works alone, either. The primers that do half the work of a ceramic bond are in the adhesives range, and for direct work the composite range covers the aesthetic alternative.

What is dental cement used for?

Dental cement holds a restoration to tooth structure. Luting cements permanently fix crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays and posts. Restorative cements such as glass ionomer and alkasite fill cavities directly. Temporary cements hold a provisional until the definitive restoration is fitted. MTA and bioceramic cements repair the pulp and root rather than lute anything.

Which cement is best for a zirconia crown?

A self-adhesive dual-cure resin cement is the best choice for zirconia. It bonds to zirconia, lithium disilicate, metal and dentine without a separate etch-and-bond step, cures chemically where light cannot reach under the crown, and gives high retention even on a short or over-tapered preparation. RelyX U200 is the common example.

What is the difference between GIC and RMGIC?

The difference is resin. Conventional glass ionomer sets by an acid-base reaction alone, giving a long working time, full fluoride release and a modest bond. Resin-modified glass ionomer adds a resin component for a faster set, higher bond strength and lower solubility, while keeping the fluoride release. RMGIC is preferred for luting crowns and posts.

Why should I avoid eugenol temporary cement before a resin cementation?

Eugenol residue inhibits the polymerisation of resin. If you provisionalise a crown with a eugenol cement and then bond the final restoration with resin cement, the resin cures incompletely against contaminated dentine and the bond is weaker. Use a non-eugenol temporary cement whenever the definitive cementation will be resin-based.

How should dental cement be stored, and does it expire?

Yes, dental cement expires, and storage matters as much as the date. Glass ionomer powder absorbs atmospheric moisture, which alters its setting reaction, and resin cements degrade with heat and light exposure. Keep containers tightly sealed, store cool and away from direct light, and check the batch and expiry before mixing.