[Clinical significance of zinc phosphate cement microstructure for permanent denture fixation]

Electron microscopic study of the structure of zinc-phosphate cement fixing artificial crowns detected its porous structure: isolated cavities and connected 0.3-10 mcm microspaces. These formations in the cement structure are stable and do not depend on the duration of permanent fixation of dentures. The authors claim that porous structure of materials used for permanent denture fixation is their important characteristic. The role of microspaces in fixing cement in the penetration of saliva under the artificial crown and the probable effect of this factor on caries development under the crown is discussed.