Level 2 Applied material

2. Zinc polycarboxylate cement

• Alternative names: Zinc polyacrylate cement
• The first dental cement that chemically bonded to teeth.
• Presentation: supplied as
a) P & L.
b) water settable type: Freeze dried poly
acrylic acid added to the powder and mixed
with water
• Composition

Powder Liquid
▪ Zno ,MgO, stannic oxide, bismuth oxide & ▪ 32-42% aqueous soln. of polyacrylic acid
aluminum oxide (high viscosity)
▪ small ratio of stannous fluoride: ▪ itaconic acid to prevent gelation during
a)modify setting time storage.
b)improve manipulation properties ▪ tartartic acid to control reaction & increase
c)↑ strength setting time
▪ NaOH to control PH & viscosity of material.
• Setting reaction: acid base reaction
Zinc oxide + polyacrylic acid → zinc polyacrylate + unreacted ZnO
• the acid-dissolving part of the zinc oxide particles releases zinc, magnesium, and tin ions that
bind and crosslink the carboxyl groups.
• The polyacrylic acid bonds to the zinc ions of the powder and to the calcium ions of the
mineralized tooth.
• set cement is cored amorphous matrix of zinc polyacrylate gel where unreacted powder
particles are dispersed.
• the polyacrylic acid reacts with calcium of hydroxy apatite (of the tooth surface) via the carboxyl
group.

 Manipulation:
• P:L ratio depends on the application &
Manufacturer’s instruction
 For luting
 thin consistency is used → to ensure flow of
the cement.
 Thin strand when pulled up with spatula.
 For cavity lining
 thick consistency is used → to ensure strength
of the cement
 Hook like

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• dispense Liquid immediately before mixing to prevent evaporation of water (may lead to ↑
viscosity)
• stainless steel spatula or plastic spatula but plastic is better to prevent adhesion of cement
on spatula & if st.st spatula used should be cleaned before the material set.
• the powder is divided into 1 bulk and 2 small increments.
• Mixing is initiated by addition of bulk increment and followed by smaller increments as the
mixing proceeds.
• The mixing is continued until homogeneous mass is formed.
• It should be completed within 30 seconds to provide sufficient working time
N.B. cement shouldn’t be used if it lost the glossy surface because this indicates absence of free
carboxylic gp necessary for adhesion, but dull appearance indicates insufficient carboxylic gps &
the tooth surface should be completely clean.
• working time shorter than ZnPO4 (2.5 min versus 5 min )so rapid spatulation & prompt
seating are necessary to ensure a low cement thickness.
• Precautions to extend working time:
1. Decrease the temperature of the reaction will retard the reaction so The powder may be
refrigerated.
 If we put the liquid in refrigerator → It will thicken →difficult mixing
 If we cool the glass slab → the liquid will thicken →difficult mixing.
2 .The powder is divided into 1 bulk and 2 small increments.
3. Rapid spatulation
• Precautions To make good adhesion with tooth structure:
1 .Cementation should be done before cement loses its glossy appearance.
2 .The tooth surface and crown surface should be clean and dry in order to
achieve a good bond with tooth surface.
3. Quick seating of crown is necessary to ensure a low cement thickness.
4. During setting, polycarboxylate cement passes through a rubbery stage.
 Excess cement should not be removed during this stage because the
cement can be pulled out from the margins, leaving a void
• Precautions To handle high viscosity of liquid:
1 .The liquid is dispensed just before mixing to avoid water evaporation.
2 .Freshly mixed cement exhibits shear thinning or pseudoplasticity. So, rapid
spatulation, quick seating of restoration
Properties:
1)biological prop.:
• good biocompatibility with pulp due to :
a) PH of liquid is 1.7 then rapid ↑ to 3-4 & after after 24 hrs 6 (rapid rsie in PH)
b) Larger size of polyacrylic acid molecules as compared to phosphoric acid molecules → ↓ acid
diffusion into dentinal tubules.
c) chemical bond & attraction between acid & proteins in dentin limit diffusion through the
dentinal tubules. + prevents ingress of bacteria.
d)fluoride ions release is anticariogenic effect
2)film thickness:
• higher than ZP cement (21-35microns).
• the mix appears to be more viscous but flows under pressure to 25 um
3)solubility:
• Solubility depends on the P/L ratio, thick mix show little solubility than thin mix.
• less than ZnPO4

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4) Mechanical properties
• compressive strength 55-95 MPa.( inferior to zinc phosphate cement.)
• tensile strength is higher than ZnP
• ↑ strength by more powder.
5)retention :
• shear thinning so quick seating of restoration to ensure low film thickness.
• There is chemical bond (ionic bond) between the carboxylate groups and tooth
structure.
• bond to enamel > dentin due to more calcium.
• bonding to dentin takes place by two methods:
1. Hydrogen bonds are formed between COO− groups of polyacrylic acid and NH2 groups of
dentin collagen.
2. Bond between COO− groups of polyacrylic acid and Calcium of dentin
• good bond between the cement & stainless steel (metals) so used for ortho. Brackets luting.
• bond to gold & porcelain is poor.
6) optical properties:
• Opaque material due to unreacted particles of ZnO
• Radiopaque due to bismuth oxide.
7) thermal & electrical conductivity:
• insulator under metallic restoration.
 Applications:
1)permanent cementation
 under cast or PFM restorations (as it is opaque)
 crowns or short span bridges as it has short working time.
2)cementation of orthodontic brackets
3)base under metallic restoration.
Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE)
 made by mixing ZnO with eugenol from oil of cloves.
 Composition:
*Powder% *Liquid %
1)Zno : react with eugenol 1)eugenol (85%): the main reactant
2)zinc acetate: ↑ accelerator (as eugenol is a weak acid) (weak acid)
3)rosin: 2)olive oil (15%): to improve the plasticity
▪ ↓ brittleness & solubility (plasticizer).
▪ Produce cohesive mass.

 Supplied: 1)powder and liquid 2)Two paste system 3)ready to use paste

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 Setting reaction:
▪ water initiates the reaction& hydrolyze the zinc oxide to form zinc hydroxide.
▪ The zinc hydroxide and eugenol chelate and solidify.
ZnO+ H2O→ Zn(OH)2
Zn(OH)2 + 2 HE eugenol → ZnOE2 (zinc eugenolate
chelate) + unreacted ZnO+ 2H2o
▪ chelation reaction occur and chelate compound is
produced.
▪ Because water is present as reagent and final
product, the reaction is autocatalytic.
▪ The setting reaction is slower for the other zinc oxide
cements.
▪ The reaction proceeds more rapidly in a warm, humid environment, such as inside a tooth
▪ Zinc acetate dihydrate accelerate the reaction as it more soluble than zinc oxide or hydroxide
▪ Acetic acid also accelerates the dissolution of zinc oxide
▪ ready made material inserted in patient mouth and a wet cotton is placed to start reaction.
▪ set cement: Cored structure consisted of unreacted ZnO in amorphous Zn eugenolate matrix.
 Manipulation:
• P/L ratio depends on application (luting or temporary filling) & Manufacturer’s
instruction
 For luting consistency: the mix should be thinner and have a creamy appearance.
 For restorative consistency: the mix should be thicker, non-sticky, and should be able to roll
it on the glass slab.
• two paste system (two equal length is placed and mixed till homogenous color is obtained)
Properties:
1)biological prop.:
• It has good biocompatibility with pulp??
1 .Its neutral pH 6.6-8
2 .The free eugenol has a sedative effect on the pulp if it away from pulp
 However, in high concentrations or when placed directly in contact with connective tissue
(in pulp exposure) it may increase the inflammatory response because of its cytotoxicity/
cause irritation.
3. Free eugenol is also bacteriostatic
2)film thickness:
40 microns which is required by ISO for temporary uses.
3)solubility:
• one of main disadv. is ↑solubility so not used in permanent cementation, why ?
 it leaches free eugenol which is replaced with water to cause hydrolysis of matrix.
4) Mechanical properties:
• compressive strength15 MPa (inferior to zinc phosphate cement.) so not used as a base.
• Tensile strength is 5 MPa
5)Retention
• no chemical bond but mechanical bonding based on low film thickness through microregulates.
• retention depends on strength of cement, consistency & film thickness & Stress imposed on
restoration.
6)Optical properties: opaque due to unreacted ZnO

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7)Compatibility with restoration:

• free eugenol act as a free radical scavenger due to presence of allyl group which inhibits
polymerization so never used under composite.
• When activated, it preferably undergoes primary radical termination, rather than propagation.
• ZOE cement should never be used before composite as a temporary filling if permanent filling
will be composite resin.
• ZOE cement should never be used as a temporary luting agent if the permanent cementation
will be performed by resin based cements.
8) Thermal and electrical properties: adequate thermal insulating properties.
 Indications: ISO listed four uses
1)temporary cementation.
2)Long term cementation of fixed prosthesis.
3)Temporary filling & thermal insulating base
4)Intermediate restoration
5)periodontal dressing & root canal sealers as it is slow
*several ingredients, medicaments are added to increase flow, adjust setting & obtain
radiopacity
Modified ZOE cements:
I-EBA Alumina modified cements:
 Liquid: ethoxybenzoic acid (EBA) 62.5% + eugenol.
 Powder: Zinc oxide + Alumina 25-30% + rosin to decrease brittleness
• Advantage: improved mechanical prop.
• Used for: 1)base 2)final luting 3)temporary filling
II-polymer reinforced cement(Resin modified ZOE)
 Incorporates a powder containing 20 to 40 wt% polymer particles and zinc oxide
particles treated with carboxylic acid.
 Improved mechanical properties.
 used as : 1)base 2)final luting 3)temporary filling.
III- Zinc oxide non eugenol
Carboxylic acid replaced eugenol and can be used under composite.
IV-Rapid set ZOE
*fine particle size with more accelerators(Zinc acetate & acetic acid)

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