It is a general term used for the materials that

hardens on placing in the tooth cavities.

Includes:
1. Adhesive materials which binds prosthesis
to the tooth structure.
2. Restorative materials
3. Liners, bases sealants etc.
 Supplied as powder liquid system, paste
form, solutions etc.
Restorative cements are used to replace
missing part of the tooth or teeth.
These materials can be selected according to
their application in various treatment
procedures such as
Temporary restoratives, intermediate
restoratives permanent restoratives,
cementing, pulp protection, insulating bases,
cavity liners, varnishes pit and fissure
sealants
 LUTING means the use of moldable substance
to seal a space between two components.
These are interface materials between the
tooth structure and alloy casting.
BASES are placed directly on the cavity floor
to protect the pulp.
LINERS are thin suspension of calcium
hydroxide, GIC III or ZnOE applied as a
coating on exposed dentin to neutralise the
penetrating acid ions from the acidic
restoratives.
 VARNISH are natural or synthetic gums
dissolved in organic solvents like acetone,
ethanol etc used to protect cavity walls from
micro leakage.
1. BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES:-
-Biocompatible with pulp i.e. non irritant to
pulp and other tissues.
-Bacteriostatic- resist the growth of micro
organisms.
-cariostatic and anticariogenic
-promote healing effect
2. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:-
-Chemically inert, should not be acidic or
alkaline.
-Resistant to tarnish and corrosion in case of
metallic appliance.
-Resist dissolution in oral fluids.
-Should not absorb saliva, or any other fluids.
-Chemically bond with the tooth structure and
metallic restorations when used as interface
cementing material.
3. RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES:-
-Good flow properties,[low viscosity] it should
flow along the interface between hard tissue
and fixed prosthesis.
-Adequate working and setting time.
-Pseudo plastic property to assist proper
cementation.
-Suitable film thickness, <25 microns for
luting and 25-40 microns for bases.
4. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES:-
Depends on the type and position of
restorations like class I,II, III,IV,V cavities,
anterior and posterior restorations etc.
-High elastic limit or strength to resist
permanent deformation.
-High modulus of elasticity to resist any
dimensional changes. [should be similar to
that of dentin 14,000-18,000 MPa.
-Large adequate compressive strength to resist
fracture from masticating forces.
-Good resilience and non brittleness to avoid
fracture.
-Good abrasive resistance or surface hardness
nearly same as tooth enamel =340KHN
-Good bond strength rather chemically
bonding to prevent marginal leakage and
minimise the removal of tooth material
during cavity preparations.
5. THERMAL PROPERTIES:-
-Should have same C.O.T.E of enamel nearly
11.4ppm/degree C to minimise microleakage
during thermal changes in oral cavity.
-Very good thermal insulator to protect the
pulp from external insult.
-Should not soften at oral temperatures.
6. AESTHETIC REQIREMENTS:-
These are prime importance to anterior
restoratives.
-Transparent or translucent and ability to
incorporate and desired shade or opacifiers.
-Same refractive index as tooth material.
-Have same color parameters i.e. hue, chroma
and value as tooth material [for correct color
matching]
-Color parameters should not change or under
go discoloration.
7. OTHERS:-
-Should be radio opaque for detection of
Secondary caries, overhanging restorations,
imperfect filling i.e. air trappings.
-Simple manipulation techniques.
-Long storage life, easily available and less
expensive