Clinical Decision-Making for Cement Selection

Although crown cementation may seem to be a trivial appointment for patients, most clinicians realize that an error during this final step can lead to a poor esthetic outcome, future debonding occurrences, or possibly fracture of a restoration. The clinician must balance the esthetic and retention needs of the restoration with the clinical environment around the tooth preparation. This article will present the important clinical factors to consider when choosing a cement and cementation method for fixed prostheses.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Explain the importance of selecting the correct cement for crown cementation.

• Describe the potential consequences of errors during the cementation process.

• List factors to consider when choosing a cement and cementation method for fixed prostheses.

About the Author

Celin Arce, DDS, MS, Assistant Professor, Restorative Sciences Department, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Augusto Robles, DMD, MS, Associate Professor, Director of Operative Dentistry Curriculum, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; and Nathaniel C. Lawson, DMD, PhD, Director, Division of Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama