Whether you’re working on crowns, bridges, or any other restorative work, dental cement is an essential component in the process. It secures prosthetics in place with the goal of ensuring both functional integrity and aesthetic harmony in a patient’s mouth.
However, the efficacy of these procedures hinges on the strength of your adhesive. It has to be capable of withstanding the forces of biting and chewing along with the harsh conditions of the mouth in general, maintaining its hold over time without failure.
So, is dental cement strong? More specifically, just how strong is dental cement? You’ve come to the right place. When you shop here at My DDS Supply for temporary tooth cement you’re getting impressive tensile and compressive strength.
In fact, our solutions often surpass other materials in their ability to secure dental appliances under continuous stress and exposure. We’ll talk more about why this matters and how you can make the most of our supplies below.
Overview of Dental Cement
Anytime restorative work is being on a patient there’s a good chance dental cement will be called to task. It’s used to attach crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, and orthodontic brackets to teeth. There are two main purposes for this material:
- Securing dental prosthetics firmly in place.
- Protecting the underlying tooth structure from bacteria and thermal shock.
Just as there are different types of suction in dentistry or types of dental burs, there are different types of cement. The primary types include zinc phosphate, glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, composite resin, and polycarboxylate cements.
Each offers unique characteristics in terms of adhesiveness, ease of use, aesthetic quality, and compatibility with dental tissues. For example, glass ionomer cements release fluoride, which can help prevent decay around the margins of restorations.
How Strong is Dental Cement?
A proper understanding of cement's properties will influence the long-term success of a dental restoration. Factors such as moisture control, biocompatibility, and the mechanical stresses that a restoration will face all impact the selection of an appropriate dental cement.
That being said, is dental cement strong? If so, how strong is dental cement? Let's find out.
Is Dental Cement Strong?
The strength of a dental cement influences its longevity and reliability, which is why it’s certainly an important factor to consider as a practitioner. The simple answer to this question is yes - at least, dental cement is INTENDED to be strong.
That being said, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Strength varies depending on the chemical composition and the intended use. It’s also important that we define strength in the context of restorative dentistry.
The mechanical strength of dental cement is evaluated based on its compressive strength (resistance to crushing) and tensile strength (resistance to pulling apart).
Furthermore, the cement's ability to form a durable bond between the tooth structure and the restoration is crucial for preventing failures such as debonding or micro-leakage, which can lead to decay or restoration failure.
So, let’s get more specific and unpack some of the different types of cement and their strength.
How Strong is Dental Cement?
Dental cements are formulated to meet high standards of strength, with some variations observed across different types:
- Zinc Phosphate Cement: This traditional and highly effective cement has a compressive strength of about 90 MPa, which makes it suitable for permanent cementation of crowns, bridges, and inlays.
- Glass Ionomer Cement: This type of cement is known for its chemical bond to enamel and dentin, offering compressive strengths ranging from 50 to 100 MPa. It also releases fluoride, which helps prevent decay at the margins of the restoration.
- Resin-modified Glass Ionomer: Combining the benefits of glass ionomer with improved strength and aesthetics, these cements provide higher compressive strengths (up to 150 MPa) and better resistance to moisture.
- Composite Resin Cements: These are among the strongest dental cements available, with compressive strengths exceeding 200 MPa. They are preferred for esthetic restorations due to their excellent bonding properties and superior aesthetic qualities.
- Polycarboxylate Cement: Known for its good biocompatibility and moderate strength, it offers a compressive strength of about 50-70 MPa, making it suitable for temporary restorations and as a base under other restorative materials.
As you can see, there is quite a bit of nuance at play here. Hopefully, this gives you a better understanding of what you can expect in terms of the strength your dental cement has to offer.
Where Can You Find Extra Strong Dental Cement For Your Practice?
Now, where can dental practitioners such as yourself get the high-strength dental cement their operations demand? Before we unveil the #1 choice in the dental industry, let’s quickly touch on why strength isn’t everything.
The cement’s strength should not overshadow other pertinent factors such as biocompatibility, ease of use, and the specific clinical application for which it is intended.
For example, non-eugenol-based cements are preferable for patients with sensitivities to eugenol, a common ingredient in many dental products that can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
The cement should also offer ease of cleanup and removal, which is particularly important for temporary placements where the cement needs to be removed without damaging the underlying tooth structure or the restoration itself.
At My DDS Supply, we understand these multifaceted needs and offer a selection of high-quality dental cements that meet these criteria. Our Automix Non-Eugenol Temporary Cement is our most popular thanks to its ease-of-use and precise application.
It is an ideal choice for temporary cementation of crowns, bridges, and other restorations, providing strong, reliable bonding without the complications associated with eugenol.
This non-eugenol temporary cement ensures patient comfort and safety throughout the entire procedure and long after they’ve gone home with their new restorative work complete, making it a perfect fit for practices aiming to deliver top-tier dental care.
Manufactured by PlastCare USA, a trusted name in dental supplies, this cement guarantees that you are using a product that is as reliable as it is effective.
When you shop here at My DDS Supply, you’re experiencing dental sourcing as it was intended. We back up our high-quality products with unparalleled customer service and low pricing - what more could you ask for?
You can stock up on other essentials as well, ranging from cavity liner to vinyl polysiloxane impression material, temporary crown material, bite registration material, alginate impression material, and much more.
Don’t settle for less than the best in your practice - experience the My DDS Supply difference today! Before we wrap things up, find tips on using our tooth cement below.
Tips on Using Our Tooth Cement
Using dental cement effectively requires precision and understanding of its properties and application techniques.
While you may understand the basics, here’s a quick overview of the details that can streamline your process and save you time and stress while elevating patient outcomes:
- Choose the Right Cement: For permanent restorations, use permanent cement. For temporary restorations, a temporary cement is suitable. Consider the material of the restoration, the location in the mouth, and patient sensitivities.
- Prepare the Tooth and Restoration: Properly clean and dry the tooth and restoration before applying the cement. Any debris or moisture can prevent proper adhesion and compromise the strength and durability of the bond.
- Mix According to Instructions: Each type of dental cement has specific mixing instructions. Follow these precisely to ensure the cement sets correctly. Use the recommended ratios and mix thoroughly to achieve a homogeneous consistency.
- Apply the Cement: Use a suitable dental applicator to place a thin, even layer of cement on the restoration or tooth. Avoid overfilling to prevent excess cement from oozing out, which can be difficult to clean and might irritate soft tissues.
- Seat the Restoration Firmly: Place the restoration onto the prepared tooth and apply steady pressure to seat it firmly in place. Ensure proper alignment and seating before the cement begins to set.
- Remove Excess Cement: Once the restoration is in place and the cement begins to set, carefully remove any excess cement from around the margins using a dental explorer or scaler. This prevents periodontal problems and ensures a clean finish.
- Curing: Some cements cure chemically without light, while others are light-cured. Using the proper curing method ensures the cement achieves its optimal strength.
- Post-Application Care: Instruct the patient to avoid chewing on the restoration until the cement has fully set. Also, advise on proper oral hygiene practices to maintain the integrity of the restoration and surrounding gum tissue.
When in doubt, consult the manufacturer's guidelines. This brief walkthrough above is not intended as a substitute for professional training or advice, but rather to show you how simple restorative dentistry can be with the right cement. So, order yours today as we wrap this guide up below.
Final Thoughts on High-Strength Dental Cement
So, how strong is dental cement? It all depends on the specific type you use and your ability to use it as corrected. Hopefully, this conversation has left you with a clear understanding of the different degrees of strength in both permanent and temporary dental cement.
Our blog has additional resources like how long does dental cement last, how to soften dental putty, the best gauze for tooth extraction, sterilization pouches sizes, alginate impression errors, how to sterilization dental burs, and more.
High-strength dental cements provide the necessary support for a wide range of dental applications, from simple fillings to complex crowns and bridges. Now that you know where to get your cement, it’s time you discovered the difference high-quality dental cements can make in your practice.
Shop My DDS Supply today and explore our selection of top-tier dental cements, designed to meet the diverse needs of modern dentistry with precision and reliability.