COMPARATIVE LABORATORY INVESTIGATION OF DUAL-CURED VS. CONVENTIONAL GLASS-IONOMER CEMENTS FOR BAND CEMENTATION

This laboratory study compared the mean tensile bond strength, mode of band failure, and survival time of orthodontic bands cemented with du al-cured cement or conventional glass ionomer cement. Survival time wa s assessed following application of mechanical stress in a ball mill. Mean tensile bond strength was significantly higher for bands cemented with the dual-cured cement (p<0.01), and mean survival time was signi ficantly greater. Bands cemented with glass ionomer failed mainly at t he cement/band interface. The results suggest that dual-cured cement i s superior to glass ionomer for band cementation.