Luting agent

https://archive.org/stream/dentalcosmos5619whit/dentalcosmos5619whit#page/33/mode/1up
This image taken from the Dental Cosmos shows a box of bottles containing dental cement which was used to lute dental crowns, bridges and inlays. It was produced by the L.D. Caulk Company in the early 1900s.

A luting agent is a dental cement connecting the underlying tooth structure to a fixed prosthesis. To lute means to glue two different structures together. There are two major purposes of luting agents in dentistry – to secure a cast restoration in fixed prosthodontics (e.g. for use of retaining of an inlay, crowns, or bridges), and to keep orthodontic bands and appliances in situ.

In a complex restoration procedure, the selection of an appropriate luting agent is crucial to its long-term success.[1] In addition to preventing the fixed prosthesis from dislodging, it is also a seal, preventing bacteria from penetrating the tooth-restoration interface.[2]

Zinc phosphate is the oldest material available and has been used in dentistry for more than a century. The introduction of adhesive resin systems made a wide range of dental materials available as luting agents. The choice of luting agent is dependent on clinical factors including dental occlusion, tooth preparation, adequate moisture control, core material, supporting tooth structure, tooth location, etc.[3] Research has determined that no single luting agent is ideal for all applications.

  1. ^ Lad PP, Kamath M, Tarale K, Kusugal PB (February 2014). "Practical clinical considerations of luting cements: A review". Journal of International Oral Health. 6 (1): 116–20. PMC 3959149. PMID 24653615.
  2. ^ Pameijer CH, Glantz PO, von Fraunhofer A (2012). "Clinical and technical considerations of luting agents for fixed prosthodontics". International Journal of Dentistry. 2012: 565303. doi:10.1155/2012/565303. PMC 3389718. PMID 22792107.
  3. ^ Özcan M (2013). "Luting cements for dental applications". Non-Metallic Biomaterials for Tooth Repair and Replacement. pp. 375–394. doi:10.1533/9780857096432.3.375. ISBN 9780857092441.