There is a very interesting topic being discussed on the cerecdoctors discussion boards relating to some of the most popular resin cements being used today. An esteemed Mentor makes a radiographic comparison of two of the cement systems that he has recently used. It’s a great insightful read by a respected clinician. His observations are truly pearls of wisdom that should inspire us to give the topic some thought. http://www.cerecdoctors.com/discussion-boards/view/id/15311

With so many great systems on the market we can alter our method of evaluation of them and get away from just which one has the greatest bond strength. All of the systems from the major manufacturers have sky high bond strengths as long as you follow the specific instructions to the letter. That is a comforting thought as many of us have been through tough times as the different generations of bonding agents emerged and some proved to be great and others were epic failures.

We now can look at different properties which I call quality of life issues. Remember, in this discussion as in our dental lives, what works for one operator may not even come close to working for another. So, make your decisions solely upon what works in your hands in your office. The ease of application and the number of steps is important. The ease or difficulty of cement cleanup is huge. That topic is more controversial than any other.

In the thread I am referring to the Doctor takes an even different approach and compares the radiographic appearances post cementation. It’s a great comparison and one which will divide a room of dentists in terms of opinions. I personally like his approach when he asks: Which radiograph will least likely lead to false claims of open margins from uninformed dentists? Let’s face it, as CEREC dentists we do need to defend ourselves from time to time. If one radiographic look helps you to feel more confident about your work then that is a great way to judge cements.

There are so many other points when it comes to choosing a cement. Like smell, shelf life, color stability and many others. Keep in mind that the basics always apply regardless of which system you are using. A great prep, great isolation and overall an impeccable technique is paramount to success. Enjoy this thread. There is a great deal of wisdom in it.