Restorative & Materials · single question
Which dental cement is MOST soluble?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Zinc Polycarboxylate
Zinc Polycarboxylate (B) is the most soluble of the common dental cements. It has a polyacrylic acid liquid that, while it bonds chemically to tooth structure, makes the set cement more susceptible to dissolution in oral fluids over time.
• Glass Ionomer has moderate solubility but is less soluble than zinc polycarboxylate after full set. It also releases fluoride.
• Resin Cement is the least soluble of modern cements — it is highly resistant to oral fluids due to its polymeric cross-linked structure.
• Zinc Phosphate is also relatively soluble compared to resin but less so than polycarboxylate. The key clinical takeaway: resin cements offer the best resistance to marginal dissolution.
• Glass Ionomer has moderate solubility but is less soluble than zinc polycarboxylate after full set. It also releases fluoride.
• Resin Cement is the least soluble of modern cements — it is highly resistant to oral fluids due to its polymeric cross-linked structure.
• Zinc Phosphate is also relatively soluble compared to resin but less so than polycarboxylate. The key clinical takeaway: resin cements offer the best resistance to marginal dissolution.
Practice Restorative & Materials questions Restorative & Materials study notes