Strong and durable, resin cements are not really cements, at least not in the traditional sense. They are polymer-based, low-viscosity composite materials. But ever since their introduction to dentistry, they’ve stuck (pun intended).
Resin cements were first developed in the 1970s and have become increasingly popular in the decades since. This is due to their advantages over traditional dental materials such as zinc phosphate cement and glass ionomer cement. Resin cements are not only strong and durable, but they are also increasingly esthetic and relatively easy to use.
Here’s a brief history:
- 1970s: First resin cements developed
- 1980s: Self-curing resin cements developed
- 1990s: Light-curing resin cements developed
- 2000s: Dual-curing resin cements developed
- 2010s-present: New resin cements with improved properties
Different types of resin cements:
• Self-curing resin cements: Cure on their own, without the need for light
• Light-curing resin cements: Cure when exposed to a dental curing light
• Dual-curing resin cements: Cure when exposed to either light or self-cure
Applications of resin cements:
• Bonding crowns, bridges, and inlays/onlays to tooth structure
• Bonding orthodontic appliances to tooth structure
• Bonding veneers to tooth structure
• Repairing chipped or cracked teeth
• Sealing cavities
Having revolutionized the way dental restorations are bonded to tooth structure, resin cements offer many advantages and are now the standard of care for many dental procedures. In fact, new resin cements with improved properties are being developed all the time, with R&D teams developing resin cements that are stronger, more esthetic, easier to use, and have a faster curing time.
The future of resin cements is bright, and they will continue to play an important role in dentistry for many years to come.