this page is about types of dental restorative materials. for dental fillings see dental restorations dental materials are specially fabricated materials, designed for use in dentistry. there are many different types of dental material, and their characteristics vary according to their intended purpose. examples include temporary dressings, dental restorations (fillings, crowns, bridges), endodontic materials (used in root canal therapy), impression materials, prosthetic materials (dentures), dental implants, and many others. ==temporary dressings== a temporary dressing is a dental filling which is not intended to last in the long term. they are interim materials which may have therapeutic properties. a common use of temporary dressing occurs if root canal therapy is carried out over more than one appointment. in between each visit, the pulp canal system must be protected from contamination from the oral cavity, and a temporary filling is placed in the access cavity. examples include: * zinc oxide eugenolâbactericidal, cheap and easy to remove. eugenol is derived from oil of cloves, and has an obtundant effect on the tooth and decreases toothache. it is suitable temporary material providing there are no biting forces on it. it is also contraindicated if the final restorative material is composite because eugenol adversely effects the bond/polymerization process. examples brands: kalzinol, sedanol. ==cements== dental cements are used most often to bond indirect restorations such as crowns to the natural tooth surface. examples include: * zinc oxide cementâself setting and harden when in contact with saliva. example brands: cavit, coltosol. * polycarboxylate cementâadheres to enamel and dentin. example brands: polyf. ==impression materials==  dental impressions are negative imprints of teeth and oral soft tissues from which a positive representation can be cast. they are used in prosthodontics (to make dentures), orthodontics, restorative dentistry, dental implantology and oral and maxillofacial surgery. impression materials are designed to be liquid or semi-solid when first mixed, then set hard in a few minutes, leaving imprints of oral structures. common dental impression materials include sodium alginate, polyether, and silicones. historically, plaster of paris, zinc oxide eugenol, and agar have been used. ==restorative materials==  dent
Dental_materials Restorative_dentistry