Temporary dental restorative materials for military field use

New temporary dental restorative materials are an important military requirement. This study compares the critical properties of the currently used temporary material, reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE), with those of a glass ionomer restorative material (GI), a high-viscosity modified glass ionomer material (MGI), and two resin-modified glass ionomer materials (RMGIs). Properties tested included compressive and tensile strength, rigidity, hardness, bond strength, working and setting times, and storage stability. Ranked results for compressive strength, rigidity, and hardness were MGI > GI > RMGI > ZOE; for tensile strength they were RMGI > MGI > GI > ZOE; and for storage stability they were ZOE > MGI > GI > RMGI. Working and setting times were all within reasonable clinical limits, and bond strength was heavily dependent on tooth surface preparation. Although none of the materials tested met all of the ideal requirements, the high-viscosity glass ionomer material offers the most promise for military field use.