Scanning electron microscopy analysis of dental cements

The aim of this study was to compare in vitro the characteristics of different types of luting cements (zinc phosphate, glass-ionomer and resin based composite cement) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and microleakage for the quality range of materials. Dental cements were mixed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and formed with posts in dental root canals of extracted teeth. The quality of cement was determined by SEM observation on horizontal sectioned roots with fixed posts according to specific pore and marginal gap diameter. The microleakage was measured on specimens immersed in Lofler (methylene blue) solution. The mean values of the maximal diameter of pores, marginal gaps and microleakage of conventional cements are remarkably larger in comparison with composite luting agents. In conclusion, the quality and efficiency of composite luting agents in comparison with conventional cements are more successful in protecting the interior of tooth from penetration of oral fluids, bacteria and bacterial toxins into unprotected dentine. Cilj ovog rada je da se uporede karakteristike razlicitih dentalnih cemenata (cink-fosfat cement, glas-jonomer cement, kompozitni cement) koristeci skenirajucu elektronsko mikroskopsku analizu (SEM) i mikropropustljivost u proceni kvaliteta materijala. Dentalnim cementima, mesanim prema uputstvu proizvodjaca, fiksirani su kocici u kanalima korena ekstrahiranih zuba. Kvalitet cementa kroz promer supljina i pukotina je ispitivan SEM-om na poprecnim presecima korena sa fiksiranim kocicima. Mikropropustljivost je odredjivana na uzorcima koji su cuvani u Loflerovom reagensu. Srednje vrednosti maksimalnih promera supljina i pukotina, kao i mikropropustljivosti kod konvencionalnih cemenata visestruko je veca u poredjenju sa kompozitnim cementima. Na osnovu rezultata ove studije, kvalitet i efikasnost kompozitnih cemenata u poredjenju sa konvencionalnim cementima je veci u zastiti unutrasnjosti zuba od prodora oralnih tecnosti, bakterija i bakterijskih toksina do nezasticenog dentina.