Outcome Evaluation of Ceramic Crowns Using Two Different Dental Cements

The restoration of indirect partial and full coverage restorations in dentistry necessitates the use of a luting agent to act as a means of mechanical and potentially, chemical retention of the restoration. Upon the introduction of the first generation of glass Ionomer cements for use as a luting agent, an elevated short-term post operative hypersentivity was reported. In part, this adverse event was considered to be due to a desiccating effect of the cement as water is utilized in the setting reaction and thus a desiccation of the dentinal tubules was proposed as a potential mechanism leading to disruption of the neurosensory odontoblasts. Further materials development in the field of dental cement luting agents has lead to the introduction to the current market of resin formulations that have an alternative mechanism of setting. Consequently, there are anecdotal reports of a decrease in the incidence of post-operative sensitivity but no comparison with the effect of conventionally used dentin desensitizing agents as a part of the bonding process of the restoration. The purpose of this trial is a single blinded parallel design randomized clinical trial to evaluate the perceived incidence of post-operative sensitivity when full coverage all ceramic crowns or short-span three unit fixed partial dentures (dental bridge) is fabricated in the posterior part of the mouth. The dental crowns or bridges will be bonded with conventional glass ionomer cement or a Urethane dimethacrylate / Bis-GMA composite resin dental cement. Outcome measures will be both objective clinical criteria and the use of a calibrated pain survey instrument.