Dental Cement

What Is Dental Cement? (The Glue That Makes or Breaks Your Crown)

Dental cement is the unsung hero of your crown's success story. It's the specialized, high-tech adhesive that permanently bonds your crown to your tooth.¹ Think of it as the world's most advanced super glue, engineered to create a permanent bond in the warm, wet, and challenging environment of your mouth.

Here's what most patients don't realize: the type of cement your dentist chooses and the precision of the cementation process can be the difference between a crown that lasts for decades and one that fails prematurely. This final step locks in all the preceding dental work, and there is zero room for error.

Different Cements for Different Crowns

Just as a builder uses different types of mortar for different bricks, we choose from a variety of dental cements, each with unique properties suited for specific situations.

• Glass Ionomer Cements: These are excellent workhorses that chemically bond to your tooth and have the unique benefit of releasing fluoride over time, which helps prevent decay at the crown's margin.²

• Resin Cements: This is the modern marvel of dental adhesion. These cements create an incredibly strong micro-mechanical bond to both the tooth and modern ceramic crowns (like E-max or Zirconia). They are the go-to choice for cosmetic dentistry where ultimate bond strength is required.
• Temporary Cement: The cement used to hold on your temporary crown is weak on purpose! It is designed to be easily removed when it's time to place your permanent crown.

The Cementation Process: The Final, Critical Minutes

That last 10-15 minutes of your crown appointment is a highly choreographed procedure.

1. The Final Try-In: We place the crown on your tooth without any cement to meticulously check the fit, the contacts with neighboring teeth, and the bite. This is the last chance for any adjustments.
2. Isolating the Tooth: The tooth must be kept perfectly clean and dry. Saliva is the enemy of a strong bond.³ We use cotton rolls or a rubber dam to isolate the tooth from the rest of the mouth.⁴

1. Preparing the Surfaces: Both the inside of the crown and the surface of your tooth are specially treated with cleaning and priming agents to prepare them for bonding.
2. Cementing the Crown: The cement is applied to the crown, which is then seated on your tooth with firm, steady pressure.⁵

1. The Cleanup Olympics: This is the most critical part. We meticulously remove all the excess cement from around the margin before it fully hardens, especially from between the teeth. Any excess left behind can cause significant gum inflammation.⁶

1. Curing the Cement: For many modern resin cements, we use a special blue light to "cure" or harden the cement, creating an instant, durable bond.⁷

What to Expect After Cementation

For the first 24 hours after your crown is permanently cemented, the cement is reaching its final, maximum strength.⁸ We recommend you avoid extremely hard, sticky, or chewy foods on that side for the first day. It is normal to be "aware" of your new crown for a few days as your tongue and cheeks get used to its new shape, but this sensation should fade quickly. If your bite feels "high" or "off" after the numbness wears off, please call us, as a simple bite adjustment is often needed.

Here's what we want you to remember:

Dental cement is the critical adhesive layer that locks your crown to your tooth.⁹ The success of this final step depends on meticulous technique and choosing the right type of cement for your specific crown material and clinical situation.

Every patient's situation is unique.

From traditional cements that have been reliable for decades to modern bioactive cements that can help fight bacteria, we will always choose the material best suited to ensure your crown stays put for the long haul.

Have a crown that feels loose or "off"?

Or are you curious about the materials used to secure your dental restorations? We're here to give you honest, personalized answers. Schedule a consultation at our Woodland Hills practice – let's talk about what's really best for your smile.