Retention of adhesive cement on the tooth surface after crown cementation

Statement of problem. Adhesive cements increase crown retention, but it is unknown if traces of cement remain undetected on the tooth surface after cl inical removal of excess cement, which could exacerbate plaque retention. Purpose. This study measured the surface area, volume, mean depth, and maxi mum depth of a resin composite and a compomer luting cement left adherent o n the tooth surface after removal of excess cement, as judged clinically. Methods and material. four groups of specimens (n = 48) were prepared for f ull coverage crowns: group AC bonding alloy with chamfer finish line, group G gold ahoy with chamfer finish line, group PC porcelain with a chamfer fi nish line, and group PS porcelain with a shoulder finish line. Two profiles of the mesial and distal surfaces of the teeth were carried out: (1) tooth with crown seated but not cemented and (2) tooth with the crown cemented i n place, Two cements and 2 methods of cement removal were studied. Results. A 4-way analysis of variance for cement, crown type, method of rem oval, and tooth surface morphology showed that significantly greater volume s and mean depth, but not surface areas, of resin composite cement remained adherent than compomer cement (P<.05). Among crown types, significant diff erences were found for cement volume (group G>AC, G>PC, G>PS), cement surfa ce area (group AC>PC, G>PC, G>PS), and maximum cement depth (group G>AC). T here was no significant difference between the 2 methods of cement removal. Significantly larger surface areas and maximum depths of cement were retai ned on the anatomically grooved mesial surface of the maxillary first premo lars than on the ungrooved distal surface. Conclusion. Subclinical cement retention occurred after crown cementation, which was influenced by cement, crown type, and tooth surface morphology bu t not method of cement removal.