Clinical comparison of postoperative sensitivity for a glass ionomer and a zinc phosphate luting cement

In 60 patients, 120 partial and full-coverage restorations were cemented on vital abutment teeth with either a glass ionomer or a zinc phosphate luting cement. A split-mouth design and a patient blind data acquisition protocol were used. During an average observation period of 17.3 months there were no differences between the two types of luting cements in regard to subjective and clinical parameters. A high incidence of postoperative hypersensitivity, which is often said to accompany the use of glass ionomer luting cements, was not observed. With the cementation method used in this study, the glass ionomer cement Ketac-Cem Maxicap was an acceptable alternative to conventional zinc phosphate cement. Capsule systems make the clinical handling of glass ionomer luting cements safe and easy and should be used routinely in dental practice.