Evaluation of retentive strength of four luting cements with stainless steel crowns in primary molars: An in vitro study

Abstract

Background: Stainless steel crown (SSC) is the most reliable restoration for primary teeth with
extensive caries. Retention is of great importance for a successful restoration and is provided by
various factors such as luting cements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the retentive strength
of SSC cemented with four different luting cements.
Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, A total of 55 extracted primary first molars were
selected. Following crown selection and cementation (one with no cement and four groups cemented
with resin, glass ionomer, zinc phosphate, and polycarboxylate), all the specimens were incubated
and thermocycled in 5°C–55°C. Retentive properties of SSCs were tested with a mechanical test
machine. First dislodgement of each specimen and full crown removal were recorded. One‑way
ANOVA test followed by least significant difference test and Kruskal–Wallis test was used for
retentive strength comparison at the level of significance of P < 0.05.
Results: The results of the study showed that the specimens cemented with zinc phosphate
exhibited higher retentive strength as compared to glass ionomer and polycarboxylate
(P < 0.001 and P = 0.023, respectively).
Conclusion: Zinc phosphate cement showed the most promising results; thus, it can be preferably
used for cementation of the teeth with no grossly broken down crowns.
Key Words: Bond strength, luting cement, retentive, strength, stainless steel