Journal of Dental Research, Vol 61, 665-672, Copyright © 1982 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Degradation of luting cements measured in vitro
F. P. Mesu
The described method of measuring degradation of luting cements in vitro,
by which various media, including bacteriological, can be used, gives
results indicating that degradation is a more complex process than could
previously be measured. Degradation appears to be a process following a
sequence of absorption, disintegration, and solution. Factors, such as
cement, thickness of the cement layer, molarity, and pH of the medium,
affect, mostly by interaction, the degradation speed. Though the clinical
predictability of this test method is not yet determined, it gives the
opportunity to measure the various stages of degradation and to appoint the
different factors affecting this process. Clinical tests based on the same
principle are in progress.
