Wear resistance of resin cements.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the in vitro wear resistance of four resin cements and a glass ionomer cement using a three-body wear test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Each cement was evaluated as a direct restorative material as well as in conjunction with an inlay. All restorations were placed into cylindrical shaped cavity preparations generated on the flattened occlusal surface of human extracted molars. The bulk wear resistance of a cement was determined when tested as a direct restorative material.

RESULTS

The wear resistance of all cements was greater when tested in conjunction with a resin composite inlay restoration. Although wear of a cement is dependent upon the method of testing, it was greater when combined with a less wear resistant resin composite inlay material. All of the cement materials used in this study exhibited less wear resistance than the resin composite inlays with which they were used. This in vitro wear testing system can be used as a screening test for the cement materials before a clinical study.