The effects of die relief agent on the retention of full coverage castings

The effect of a commercial die relief agent on the retention of castings cemented with a zinc phosphate, a zinc polycarboxylate, or a modified zinc oxide-eugenol cement was studied. Forces required to dislodge unspaced castings from tooth preparations were higher when zinc phosphate cement was the luting medium. Die relief agents resulted in a 32% reduction in the forces required to dislodge castings cemented with zinc phosphate. Data for the other cements did not differ statistically. Shear strength-tensile ratios of the cements indicate that the high shear strength provided by zinc phosphate cement may be negated by the cementation of oversize castings fabricated from relieved dies.