Best Dental Cement: How to Choose by Procedure

The best dental cement depends on the procedure, the restoration material and how well you can control moisture. A cement that works well under a metal crown can fail under a ceramic veneer, so no single product wins every case.

This guide compares the main dental cements used in US practices: glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, resin, zinc phosphate and polycarboxylate. For each one you will see where it fits, what to watch for and how to choose between them.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) for mixing ratios, working time and setting time.

What is dental cement?

Dental cement is a material that bonds, seals or lines tooth structure and restorations. Dentists use it to cement crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, veneers and posts, to place liners and bases, and in some cases to restore cavities.

Cements fall into two groups by purpose:

• Luting cements hold indirect restorations in place, such as crowns and bridges.
• Restorative and base cements fill or line the tooth, for example Class V restorations and liners under composite.

Some materials, such as glass ionomer, work in both roles depending on the formulation.

Types of dental cements

Glass ionomer cement (GIC)

• Bonds chemically to enamel and dentin and releases fluoride.
• Common uses: Class V and cervical restorations, luting metal and PFM crowns, liners and bases, pediatric and ART (atraumatic restorative treatment) restorations.
• Watch for: moisture sensitivity early in the set, and lower strength than resin in high-stress areas.

Resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI)

• Adds light-cured resin to the glass ionomer reaction, which raises strength and lowers solubility and early moisture sensitivity.
• Common uses: luting crowns and bridges, orthodontic bands, restorations in low-stress areas.
• Watch for: some RMGI cements can absorb water and expand slightly, so check the IFU before using one under an all-ceramic crown.

Example in our store: the 3M ESPE RelyX Luting cement 11g clicker, a resin-modified glass ionomer luting cement.

Resin cement

• Offers the highest bond strength and retention, low solubility and the best esthetics.
• Common uses: veneers, all-ceramic and zirconia crowns, inlays, onlays and adhesive bridges.
• Watch for: technique sensitivity. It needs good isolation, the right bonding or priming protocol and careful excess removal.

Zinc phosphate cement

• Has a long clinical track record and high compressive strength. It holds by mechanical retention only, with no chemical bond.
• Common uses: metal and PFM crowns, bridges and posts.
• Watch for: acidity at placement, so deep preparations may need a liner or base. Mix on a cool slab because the reaction gives off heat.

Polycarboxylate cement

• Bonds chemically to tooth structure and is gentle on the pulp.
• Common uses: metal crowns and bridges, especially where pulp sensitivity is a concern.
• Watch for: lower strength, a short working time and a sticky consistency.

Temporary cement

Zinc oxide eugenol and non-eugenol cements hold provisional restorations. Eugenol can interfere with the set of resin cements, so use a non-eugenol product if a resin cement will follow.

Best dental cement by procedure

Treat these as starting points. The final choice depends on the restoration material, the preparation and the manufacturer's indications.

How to choose the right dental cement

Work through these seven factors in order:

1. Restoration material. Ceramic and zirconia restorations usually call for resin cement and the primer the manufacturer specifies. Metal restorations allow a wider choice.
2. Moisture control. If isolation is difficult, glass ionomer and zinc phosphate tolerate moisture better than resin.
3. Retention. Short or highly tapered preparations benefit from a bonded resin cement.
4. Pulp health and sensitivity. Polycarboxylate and glass ionomer are gentler on the pulp. Deep preparations under zinc phosphate need a liner or base.
5. Caries risk. Glass ionomer releases fluoride, which helps high-risk patients.
6. Working and setting time. Multi-unit cases need a cement with a longer working time.
7. Cost and workflow. Glass ionomer and zinc phosphate cost less and need fewer steps than most resin systems.

Mixing tips for powder/liquid glass ionomer

Self-cure glass ionomer kits, like the SDI Riva Self Cure, come as a powder, a liquid, a mixing pad and a spatula. These general tips help most powder/liquid systems:

1. Fluff the powder by gently shaking the bottle before you dispense.
2. Dispense powder and liquid at the ratio in the IFU, holding the liquid bottle vertically for consistent drops.
3. Use a clean, dry pad and a plastic spatula. Bring the powder into the liquid in increments and finish within the mixing time.
4. Place the cement while the surface is still glossy. A dull surface means the working time has passed.
5. Protect the restoration from moisture and dehydration early in the set, as the IFU describes.
6. Close both bottles right after use so the powder does not absorb moisture.

The IFU always overrides these tips for exact ratios and times.

Dental cement FAQ

What is the best dental cement for crowns?

It depends on the crown material. Metal and PFM crowns do well with glass ionomer, RMGI or zinc phosphate. All-ceramic and zirconia crowns usually need a resin cement used with the manufacturer's bonding protocol.

Is glass ionomer or resin cement better?

Neither wins every case. Resin cement gives the strongest bond and best esthetics but is technique sensitive. Glass ionomer is simpler, tolerates moisture better and releases fluoride.

Does glass ionomer cement release fluoride?

Yes. Glass ionomer cements release fluoride, which is why many dentists choose them for patients at high caries risk and for pediatric restorations.

Can I use zinc oxide eugenol before a resin cement?

Use a non-eugenol provisional cement instead. Eugenol can interfere with the set of resin cements, so remove any residue thoroughly if it was used.

How long does glass ionomer take to set?

Setting and maturation times vary by product, and the material keeps maturing after the initial set. Check the IFU of the cement you use.

Choosing a dental cement: the short version

Match the cement to the restoration material, the isolation you can achieve and the patient's caries and sensitivity risk. Use resin cement for ceramics and veneers, glass ionomer or RMGI for restorations and many metal crowns, and zinc phosphate or polycarboxylate where their track record fits the case.

Looking for a glass ionomer? See the SDI Riva Self Cure GIC powder and liquid kit, a self-cure restorative kit that includes a mixing pad and spatula. You can also browse our dental cements collection for more options.

Prefer a 3M option for crowns and bridges? Shop the 3M ESPE RelyX Luting cement or browse all 3M ESPE products. Every order ships free worldwide and comes with a 30-day return policy.