A method for assessing the clinical solubility and disintegration of luting cements

A test was designed for evaluating the distintegration of cementing agents in the oral cavity. The cements were placed in small holes located in the proximal surfaces of cast gold restorations so that the materials were not subject to abrasion. Each cement was placed in one hole located occlusally and one located gingivally. Four commercial cements of four different types (zinc phosphate, zinc silicophosphate, polycarboxylate, and EBA-Alumina zinc oxide/eugenol) were tested in 15 patients, and differences were observed in the deterioration rates of the different cements over the 6 month period. The disintegration rate of a given cement was the same in the gingival and occlusal positions. No correlation was observed between the clinical data on loss of material and the solubility of the cements as measured by conventional in vitro tests.