(si-ment' )

[L. caementum, cementum, rough-cut stone, rubble (for making concrete)]

1. Any material that hardens into a firm mass when prepared appropriately.
2. To cause two objects to stick together, as in using an adhesive to join a gold inlay to the cavity of a tooth and to insulate the pulp from metallic fillings.
3. The material used to make one substance adhere to another.

   SEE: cementum.

glass ionomer c.A dental adhesive made from powdered aluminosilicate glass and liquid polyacrylic acid, used as a lining for dental cavities; as a permanent dental restorative material; and , as a result of leakage, as a source of fluoride. The cement is not recommended for Class II or IV restorations.

silicate c.A hard, translucent, tooth-colored restorative material. Silicate cement is produced by mixing aluminosilicate (an acid-based powdered glass) with liquid phosphoric acid. Because the cement is damaging to pulp of the tooth, pulp protection is required. Leakage often occurs at the margins of a silicate cement, but the fluoride released prevents caries.

Pulp protection is required.

zinc phosphate c.The oldest of the dental cements, composed of a powder (zinc oxide and magnesium oxide) and a liquid (phosphoric acid and water). An acid-base reaction occurs when the powder and liquid are mixed. The set cement is unreacted zinc oxide particles suspended within a matrix of zinc aluminophosphate. The cement is used for inlays, crowns, bridges, and orthodontic appliances.

zinc polycarboxylate c.Dental cement that can be used to attach cast restorations and orthodontic appliances and as a thermal insulating base. It forms an adhesive bond with enamel. It is produced by mixing a powder containing zinc oxide and magnesium oxide with a liquid solution of polyacrylic acid.