Selecting the right dental cement for crown placement is a decision that impacts longevity, performance, and patient satisfaction. Whether your practice is placing all-ceramic crowns, PFM, or zirconia restorations, understanding dental cement options helps you avoid remakes and ensure better outcomes.
In this blog, we’ll cover types of dental cements, how to use them wisely, and tips on what works best in real clinical settings.
Key Takeaways
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Use resin cements for ceramic and zirconia crowns where strong bonding and esthetics are critical.
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Choose RMGI cements when you want easy handling, fluoride release, and reliable performance in routine cases.
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Rely on traditional cements like zinc phosphate mainly for metal crowns with strong retention.
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Always ensure proper prep, try-in, thin cement application, and thorough cleanup to avoid loosening or failures.
What Makes an Ideal Dental Cement for Crowns?
Before exploring the different types of cements, it’s important to understand what a dental cement for crowns should actually achieve beyond simply holding the crown in place. The ideal cement should:
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Provide thin film thickness so it doesn’t alter the crown’s fit
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Bond or adhere well to tooth structure and crown material
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Resist solubility in saliva and oral fluids
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Be biocompatible and not irritate pulp or soft tissues
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Be workable in the clinic (reasonable working time, clean-up, handling)
Permanent dental cements differ from temporary ones in that they aim for long-term stability and bonding rather than ease of removal. Temporary dental cement for crowns is used when the crown is interim and likely to be removed later.
Types of Permanent Dental Cement for Crowns
Here’s a breakdown of the main categories you’ll choose from, with pros, cons, and typical uses.
Resin Cements (Adhesive & Self-Adhesive)
Resin cements are a popular choice due to their strong bond and esthetic versatility. They are often used for ceramic, porcelain, zirconia and high-esthetic restorations. One example is PANAVIA V5, which offers strong dentin bonding, low film thickness, and shade options.
Pros: Strong bond, color control, can bond to varied substrates
Cons: Sensitive to moisture contamination, require good isolation, may need primers/pretreatments
Glass Ionomer & Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer (RMGI)
These cements combine beneficial properties: chemical adhesion to tooth structure, some fluoride release, and a moderate technique sensitivity. Glass ionomer cements are especially useful when you want added protection for margins and less risk of microleakage.
Pros: Easy to use, some fluoride release, moderate bonding
Cons: Not as strong as resin cements in high-stress zones, somewhat moisture sensitive
Traditional Cements (Zinc Phosphate, Polycarboxylate)
These older classes are still around, especially for certain crown types (like metal-based or when retention is strong). Zinc phosphate cements have a long track record and good compressive strength, though it doesn’t bond chemically to tooth structure.
Pros: Proven, stable, familiar handling
Cons: Requires more tooth reduction for retention, lacks chemical bonding, may irritate pulp if not handled carefully
Step-by-Step Guide to Cementing Permanent Crowns
1. Prepare Tooth & Interior of Crown
Make sure the prepared tooth is clean, dry, and free of contamination. If using resin cement, pretreat enamel/dentin and the internal crown surface (e.g. with silane, adhesive, or sandblasting as recommended).
2. Try in the Crown First
Before applying cement, seat the crown dry, checking fit, contacts, and margin adaptation. This avoids seating errors.
3. Apply Cement with Care
Mix according to manufacturer instructions. Use minimal excess, as you’d want a thin film. Seat the crown fully and hold it under pressure until the initial set occurs.
4. Remove Excess Cement Quickly
Use suitable instruments (microbrush, floss) to clean the margins before full hardening. In resin systems, a gel or tack cure may help flush excess before final cure.
5. Final Cure & Check Occlusion
Complete final curing (using a curing light or dual-cure resin) as directed. Then check and adjust occlusion, polish margins and confirm patient comfort.
Temporary Dental Cement for Crowns: When and Why to Use It
While permanent dental cement for crowns is your go-to for the final restoration, temporary dental cement for crowns plays a role when a crown is provisional. Often based on zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) or non-eugenol formulas, these cements allow easy removal later with minimal damage to the tooth or crown.
Use temporary cement when you expect to modify the crown, wait for adjustments, or if gingival health or shade matching is yet unsettled. The key is it must be weak enough to remove but stable enough to hold the crown until final cementation.
Choosing the Best Permanent Cement for Crowns: What to Consider
When selecting the best permanent dental cement for a crown, here are key factors your clinic should evaluate:
Crown material: Resin cements pair better with ceramics and translucent materials; traditional cements may work better with metal-based crowns.
Esthetics: If margins are visible, choose a cement that doesn’t discolor.
Moisture control: Choose cements that tolerate slight moisture or ensure excellent isolation.
Retention vs bonding: When the crown prep geometry is excellent, a less aggressive cement may suffice; but when retention is questionable, stronger adhesive systems help.
Ease of clean-up & excess removal: In busy clinic workflows, a cement that allows easier cleanup is more practical.
Manufacturer support & protocols: Follow manufacturer instructions; some systems include primers or bonding primers which boost performance.
Essential Supplies & Products Your Practice Should Keep in Stock
To support effective cementation workflows, make sure your inventory includes:
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Adhesive primers (for enamel, dentin, ceramics, zirconia)
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Mixing systems or automix tips for resin and RMGI cements
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Micro brushes, applicators, and syringes
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Finishing burs, polishers, and floss/gel to remove excess
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Isolation tools (rubber dams, retraction cords, matrices)
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Shade tabs / resin shade guides
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Cement inventory: high-quality permanent cements, plus temporary cements for provisional use
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Light curing devices that meet required intensity and wavelength
Safco Dental Supply’s catalog of Permanent Cements & Liners (e.g. ZirCAD Cement, Variolink Esthetic, SpeedCEM Plus) includes multiple options that can match different crown types and clinical protocols.
FAQs
What is the best permanent dental cement for crowns?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best cement depends on crown material, retention geometry, isolation ability, and esthetic needs. Resin cements are often favored for ceramics and high esthetic zones.
Can I switch from a temporary dental cement to a permanent one later?
Yes, that's a standard procedure. After the temporary crown is removed and the tooth is properly cleaned and prepared, you can proceed with permanent cementation.
Does a permanent crown always need resin cement?
No. Some cases (e.g. metal crowns with good retention) can succeed with glass ionomer or traditional cements when bonding is not critical.
How much cement film thickness is acceptable for a crown?
Ideally, cement film thickness should be minimal; thin enough to avoid interfering with fit, but thick enough to flow and fill microgaps. Most manufacturers target < 50 µm for adhesive systems.
How do I manage excess cement in narrow margins?
Use microbrushes or floss pre-coated with cement gel, tack-cure if possible, and gently remove residual before final curing.
Why do some crowns loosen despite using permanent cement?
Common causes include poor isolation (moisture contamination), weak preparation geometry, insufficient bonding protocol, or cementation errors.
