(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

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.

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.

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.

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.