In vitro study on the solubility of zinc phosphate and polycarboxylate as orthodontic band cements

Different cements are used to attach orthodontic bands which require special considerations in terms of technique sensitivity during setting reaction, water solubility and decomposition over time each of which may result in attachment failure, decalcification and caries in long term. This study was designed to assess the weight changes of different zinc phosphate and polycarboxylate cements used in orthodontics. An experimental study was designed to compare two available conventional cements (zinc phosphate and polycarboxilate) in the department of dental materials, SBMU School of Dentistry, Tehran, Iran. The cements were categorized according to ADA 8 index and the data were analyzed with electronic balance. Weight variations were recorded after 6 weeks floating the samples in water and data were subjected to analysis using Repeated Measured ANOVA test. There was the maximum mean value of weight loss for Aria Dent zinc phosphate cement and the least with Adhezor zinc phosphate within the period of study. Regarding plycarboxylate cement, Aria Dent polycarboxylate displayed the greater weight variation over the time compared to other conventional cement and the minimum value of weight loss was for Durelon cement. It is concluded that Aria Dent zinc phosphate and polycarboxylate cement display greater weight variations over time compared to other conventional cements.