Dental Cements

(DENTAL MATERIALS)
1. A clinical procedure performed without burs, air water spray or anaesthesia that consists of manual
excavation of carious tissue and restoration of the tooth with type II fluoride-releasing cements is known as
a. Pit and fissure sealant
b. Prophylactic odontotomy
c. Preventive endodontics
d. Atraumatic restorative technique

2. A substance that is hard, brittle, amorphous, noncrystalline material typically made by fusing silicates with
various types of mineral oxides is known as
a. Ceramic
b. Polymer
c. Glass
d. Metal

3. A viscous material placed between tooth structure and the prosthesis that hardens through chemical
reactions to firmly attach the prosthesis to the tooth structure is termed as
a. Bonding agent
b. Etching agent
c. Sealing agent
d. Luting agent

4. Filling material or prosthesis used to restore or replace a tooth, a portion of the tooth, multiple teeth or
oral tissues is known as
a. Restoration
b. Compomer
c. Cermet
d. Giomer

5. An example of self-adhesive restoration is

a. Zinc phosphate
b. Zinc polycarboxylate
c. Zinc oxide eugenol
d. Composite

6. The time elapsed from the starting of mixing to the point at which the consistency of a material is no
longer suitable for intended use is termed as
a. Manipulation time
b. Working time
c. Setting time
d. Mixing time

7. All the following cements have their liquid as acidic solutions or proton donors except
a. Glass ionomer cement
b. Zinc phosphate
c. Resin cement
d. Zinc polycarboxylate

8. The use of fluoride-releasing material is

a. Patients with low caries activity
b. Aesthetically conscious patients
c. Patients with high caries activity
d. All the above conditions

9.The use of dental cement as a restorative material began with

 Dental Cements
(DENTAL MATERIALS)
a. Glass ionomer cement
b. Silicate cements
c. Polycarboxylate cement
d. Zinc oxide eugenol cement

10. The concentration of fluoride in the immediate vicinity of glass ionomer filling is found to be
a. 1 ppm
b. 3 ppm
c. 4 ppm
d. 5 or more ppm

11. Which of the following explains the anticariogenic activity of glass ionomer cement?
a. Increased acid resistance of enamel
b. Enhancement of remineralization
c. Inhibition of carbohydrate metabolism of the acidogenic microflora
d. All the above

12. Which of the following is a mechanism by which fluoride has been incorporated in various dental
materials?
a. Physical incorporation of soluble fluoride salts
b. Incorporation of nearly insoluble fluoride minerals as a filler
c. Use of monomers with fluorine in pendant groups as matrix former
d. All the above

13. The ADA/ANSI specification for water-based dental cements is

a. 12
c. 26
b. 23
d. 96

14. Which of the following does not set by acid-based reaction?

a. Zinc phosphate cement
b. Glass ionomer cement
c. Silicate cement
d. Resin cement

15. What is the recommended film thickness for luting agents?

a. 10 µm or less
b. 25 μm or less
c. 50 µm or less
d. 100 µm or less

16. How much should the internal surface of the crown be filled by a luting agent when luting a single crown?
a. Fully filled
b. Half filled
c. 1/4th filled
d. 1/3rd filled

17. What is the problem faced when a viscous cement is used for luting a prosthesis?
a. The prosthesis may be in hyper occlusion
b. The prosthesis may not be luted properly
c. A thicker cement gap may increase the risk of marginal ditching
d. Both (a) and (c)
 Dental Cements
(DENTAL MATERIALS)
18. When should a luting cement which sets to a brittle state be removed?
a. Immediately after seating of the prosthesis
b. After the cement has set completely
c. After the cement has set partially
d. At any of the above time

19. The principal mean of mechanical retention during luting is

a. By the luting cement filling up the interfacial region
b. By forming a void free sealed continuum along the prosthesis and the tooth interface
c. Both (a) and (b)
d. None of the above

20. Resin cements based on which compounds are believed to bond to the calcium within the dentin?
a. N-phenylglycine and glycidyl methacrylate
b. Polymerizable phosphates
c. 4-Methacrylethy-trimellitic anhydride
d. All the above

21. Which of the following causes can lead to the dislodgement of a prosthesis that is cemented with luting
cement?
a. Secondary caries
b. Fracture of the prosthesis
c. Disintegration of the luting cement
d. All the above

22. Which of the following is a factor with respect to luting cement that
can influence the retention of a fixed prosthesis?
a. Film thickness of a luting cement
b. The compressive, tensile and shear strength of the luting cement
c. Dimensional changes occurring during setting of the cement
d. All the above

23. What kind of luting failure generally tends to occur when chemically bonding cements are used for
luting?
a. Adhesive failure
c. Both (a) and (b)
b. Cohesive failure
d. None of the above

24. What is the maximum permissible film thickness of cements for restorative purposes?
a. 20 µm
b. 25 μm
c. 40 μm
d. 100 µm

25. Which of the following is a factor that affects the film thickness of luting cement?
a. The amount of pressure applied to the prosthesis during seating
b. The manner in which the force is applied to the prosthesis while seating
c. The configuration of the prosthesis relative to its hindering or facilitating the flow of cement
d. All the above

26. Which of the following is a function of pulp protecting agents?

a. Insulation against temperature changes
b. As a barrier against irritants released from the restorative materials
 Dental Cements
(DENTAL MATERIALS)
c. As a sealing agent against interfacial leakage associated with bacterial 1mnvasion
d. All the above

27. Natural gums or synthetic resins dissolved in an organic solvent that form a coating on the tooth are
termed as
a. Varnish
b. Liner
c. Base
d. Restoration

28. Varnish is contraindicated under which restorative material?

a. Amalgam

b. Cast gold
c. Glass ionomer cement
d. Direct filling gold

29. What is the recommended thickness of a base?

a. <0.5 mm
b. <0.75 mm
c. >20.75 mm
d. The thickness of the base is not a clinically relevant factor

30. Which of the following is an ideal base?

a. Zinc phosphate cement
b. Zinc oxide eugenol cement
c. Zinc polycarboxylate cement
d. Depending on the clinical situation, all cements are suitable

31. Which of the following cement has a very low initial pH but is still widely used as a thermal insulating
base?
a. Zinc phosphate cement
b. Zinc oxide eugenol
c. Glass ionomer cement
d. Zinc polycarboxylate

32. Which are the material of choice as a liner and base, respectively, under a composite filling?
a. Zinc oxide eugenol, glass ionomer cement
b. Zinc phosphate cement, zinc oxide eugenol
c. Calcium hydroxide, glass ionomer cement
d. Glass ionomer cement, zinc oxide eugenol

33. What is the sequence of application of a base and varnish when a glass ionomer cement base is used?
a. The varnish is applied first and then the base
b. The base is applied first and then the varnish
c. Either option (a) or (b) can be done, the sequence does not matter
d. Vamish is not required when glass ionomer cement is used as a base

34. Which cement has the longest clinical track record for luting and
serves as a standard with which newer systems are compared?
a. Zinc oxide eugenol
b. Zinc phosphate cement
c. Glass ionomer cement
d. Zinc polycarboxylate
 Dental Cements
(DENTAL MATERIALS)

35. What is the correlation between the particle size and the setting time of the cement?
a. Smaller the particle size, slower is the set
b. Smaller the particle size, faster is the set
c. Larger the particle size, faster is the set
d. No correlation between the particle size and setting time exists

36. The acid content of the liquid of zinc phosphate cement is about
a. 20+ 5%
b. 30+ 5%
c. 33+ 5%
d. 37.5+ 5%

37. The set zinc phosphate cement consists of

a. Agglomeration of unreacted powder particles surrounded by silica gel in an amorphous matrix of hydrated
calcium, aluminium and polysalts

b. A cored structure consisting primarily of unreacted zinc oxide particles embedded in a cohesive
amorphous matrix of zinc aluminophosphate
c. A polymerized resin matrix with silane-treated inorganic fillers
d. Any of the above

38. If the water from the liquid of zinc phosphate cement is lost, what is the consequence of it on the setting
time of zinc phosphate cement?
a. The setting time is prolonged
b. The setting time is shortened
c. Setting time is not affected
d. Unpredictable effect on the setting time

39. In context to dental cements, setting time refers to

a. The time from the start of the mixing to the maximum time at which viscosity of the cement is still low
enough to flow readily under pressure to form a thin film
b. The period during which matrix formation has reached a point at which external physical disturbance will
not cause a permanent dimensional change
c. The time period for which the consistency of the mix is still workable
d. None of the above

40. According to the ADA/ANSI specification no. 96, the setting time of zinc phosphate cement should be
from
a. 1-4 minutes
b. 2-6 minutes
c. 2.5-8 minutes
d. 4-12 minutes

41. Which of the following is not a method of extending the working time of zinc phosphate cement at chair
side?
a. Reducing the P/L ratio
b. Mixing the cement in increments
c. Less concentration of water in the liquid
d. Mixing the cement on a cool glass slab

42. Out of the following values of compressive strength, diametrical tensile strength and modulus of
elasticity for zinc phosphate cement, which set of values prove that zinc phosphate cement is stiff and can
resist elastic deformation even under high masticatory stresses?
 Dental Cements
(DENTAL MATERIALS)
a. 5.5 MPa, 6.2 MPa, 5.1 GPa
b. 104 MPa, 5.5 MPa, 13.5 GPa
c. 48 MPa, 4.1 MPa, 2.5 GPa
d. 55 MPa, 4.1 MPa, 5 GPa

43. The correct luting consistency of zinc phosphate cement is judged by the string test. The length of the
string in this test should be?
a. 0.5 inch
b. 1 inch
c. 1.5 inch
d. 2 inch

44. The recommended P/L ratio for zinc phosphate cement is

a. 1.4 gm/0.5 ml
b. 1 gm/1 ml
c. 0.5 gm/1.5 ml
d. 1.5 gn/1 ml

46. The recommended mixing time for each increment of zinc phosphate cement is
a. 5-10 seconds
b. 10-15 seconds
c. 15-20 seconds
d. 20-25 seconds

47. The first cement to be developed which had an adhesive bond to the tooth structure was?
a. Glass ionomer cement
b. Zinc polycarboxylate
c. Silicate
d. Zinc silicophosphate

48. The acid concentration of the liquid of zinc polycarboxylate cement is

a. 10-20%
b. 32-42%
c. 55-65%
d. 70-80%

49. As compared to glass ionomer cement, polycarboxylate has times fluoride release.
a. Twice
b. Same
c. Half
d. 15-20% of glass ionomer cement

50. The bond of zinc polycarboxylate cement is greatest to

a. Enamel
b. Dentin
c. Cementum
d. Same with all

51. A unique property of zinc polycarboxylate cement, which it does not share with any other cement, is
a. Viscoelasticity
b. Pseudoplasticity
c. Thixotropy
d. All the above
 Dental Cements
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52. Which is the recommended method to increase the working time of zine polycarboxylate cement?
a. Refrigeration of the liquid, powder and the glass slab
b. Refrigeration of the liquid and glass slab
c. Refrigeration of the powder and glass slab
d. None of the following is the recommended method of increasing the

53. The pH of the liquid of zinc polycarboxylate cement is

a. 1
b. 1.7
c. 3.5
d. 6.4

54. How should the powder of the zinc polycarboxylate cement be incorporated in the liquid?
a. Small increments first than larger increments and again smaller increments
b. Small increments throughout the mixing
c. Large initial increments and smaller final increments
d. Large increments throughout the mixing

55. Luting failure when using zinc polycarboxylate cement occurs at

a. Cement to tooth interface
b. Cement to metal interface
c. Within the cement
d. Within the tooth

56. The maximum particle size for restorative and luting glass ionomer cement is and respectively.
a. 40 µm, 15 um
b. 60 μm, 20 μm
c. 50 μm, 25 μm
d. 50 μm, 15 μm

57. Which of the following is not a modification of glass ionomer cement?

a. Dual cure glass ionomer cement
b. Tri-cured glass ionomer cement
c. Tetra-cured glass ionomer cement
d. Anhydrous glass ionomer cement

58. The concentration of polyacrylic acid in the liquid of glass ionomer cement is
a. 10-20%
b. 20-30%
c. 30-40%
d. 40-50%

59. Which of the following is not attributed to the acids present in glass ionomer cement?
a. Increase in the reactivity
b. Increase in the viscosity
c. Reduced tendency for gelation
d. None of the above is attributed to the acid

60. Which of the following is not attributed to water in the setting reaction of glass ionomer cement?
a. Helps in a snap set
b. Acts as a reaction medium
c. Helps to hydrate the crosslinked matrix
d. If present in excess can dissolve the cations and anions to the surrounding areas
 Dental Cements
(DENTAL MATERIALS)
61. The initial amount of fluoride released from glass ionomer cement is comparable to
a. Silicate cements
b. Polycarboxylate cement
c. Zinc oxide eugenol
d. Zinc phosphate cement

62. Which of the following properties of glass ionomer cement does not make it an attractive proposition for
restorations?
a. Reasonable biocompatibility
b. Bonding to enamel and dentin
c. Its fracture toughness
d. Its anticariogenic property

63. Which of the following is not a requirement to achieve long-lasting restoration using glass ionomer
cement?
a. Clean and dry tooth surface
b. Removal of the excess cement at the appropriate time
c. Protection of the restoration surface
d. Using a cool glass slab for manipulation

64. Which of the following acid is not used for conditioning of the tooth before glass ionomer cement?
a. Phosphoric acid
c. Hydrochloric acid
b. Polyacrylic acid
d. Both (a) and (b)

65. When glass ionomer cement is manipulated for the recommended time of indicates seconds, it should
have a appearance, which
a. 30-45, dull, unreacted polyacrylic acid on the surface
b. 45-60, shiny, unreacted polyacrylic acid on the surface
c. 15-30, shiny, lack of free acid on the surface
d. 30-45, dull, lack of free acid on the surface

66. Which of the following is not an advantage of using preproportioned powder liquid capsules over
conventional hand mixing?
a. Economical
b. Convenience
c. Consistent control of P/L ratio
d. Elimination of variations associated with P/L ratio

67. Which of the following is not included in the list of criteria which when controlled results in high-quality
glass ionomer cement restorations?
a. Conditioning of the tooth surface
b. Proper manipulation
c. Protection of the cement during setting
d. Use of a glass slab rather than an oil impervious paper

68. Modification of glass ionomer cement which is formed by fusing glass powder with silver particles
through sintering is known as
a. Silver alloy admixed
b. Cermet
c. Compomer
d. Giomer
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69. Which of the following is a distinct advantage of metal modified glass
ionomer cement over conventional glass ionomer cement?
a. Long-term performance in contact free surfaces
b. Fluoride release
c. Degree of wear at low pH
d. None of the above

70. The recommendation for the use of metal modified glass ionomer cement when used as a core build-up
material is that it should not constitute more than % of the total core build-up.
a. 20
b. 40
c. 60
d. 80

71. The technique and the material used in countries that lack the infrastructure to provide water, electricity
and equipment to remote areas to retain as many teeth as possible are and
a. Minimally invasive dentistry, zinc phosphate cement
b. Atraumatic restorative technique, glass ionomer cement
c. Minimally invasive dentistry, glass ionomer cement
d. Atraumatic restorative technique, zinc oxide eugenol

72. Which of the following mechanisms is used by tri-cured glass ionomer cement for its setting reactions?
a. Acid-base reaction, chelation reaction and light initiated polymerization
b. Acid-base reaction, chelation reaction and chemically initiated polymerization
c. Chemically initiated polymerization, chelation reaction and light initiated polymerization
d. Acid-base reaction, chemically initiated polymerization and light initiated polymerization

73. The initial setting reaction of resin modified glass ionomer cement occurs by
a. Polymerization of the methacrylate group
b. Acid-base reaction of the glass and the polyacrylic acid
c. Chelation reaction
d. All the above contribute to the initial setting reaction

74. Which of the following is a distinct improvement in property of resin modified glass ionomer cement over
conventional glass ionomer cement?
a. Reduced polymerization shrinkage
b. Increased fluoride release
c. Improvement in translucency
d. All the above

75. The chief advantage of using hybrid glass ionomer cement as a liner under a composite resin restoration
is
a. High strength
b. Bonding to the tooth and composite
c. Palliative to the pulp
d. Anticariogenic

76. The sandwich technique is recommended for restoration and in patients who are at risk of caries.
composite
a. Class I and class 3, low to medium
b. Class 2 and class 5, low to medium
c. Class 2 and class 5, medium to high
d. Class 3 and class 4, medium to high
 Dental Cements
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77. Which of the following is not self-adhesive?
a. Glass ionomer cement
b. Metal modified glass ionomer cement
c. Resin modified glass ionomer cement
d. Compomer

78. Which of the following has the highest fluoride release?

a. Glass ionomer cement
b. Metal modified glass ionomer cement
c. Resin modified glass ionomer cement
d. Compomer

79. Resin cements are basically

a. Highly filled composite resins
b. Moderately filled composite resins
c. Lightly filled composite resins
d. Flowable composite resins of low viscosity

80. The excess chemically cured resin cement when used for luting should be removed
a. Immediately after seating the prosthesis
b. After 5 minutes
c. After it has set
d. Should be left in place

81. Light cure resin cement is indicated for luting of all except
a. Porcelain fused to metal crowns
b. Resin-based prosthesis
c. Ceramic and plastic orthodontic brackets
d. Thin ceramic prosthesis

82. The thickness of prosthesis where dual cure cement is used for luting should not be more than
a. 1.5 mm
b. 2.5 mm
c. 4.5 mm
d. Any thickness of prosthesis can be cured

83. The least irritating of all dental cements is

a. Zinc phosphate cement
b. Silicate
c. Glass ionomer cement
d. Zinc oxide eugenol

84. The setting reaction of zinc oxide eugenol cement is

a. Acid-base and subsequently polymerization
b. Polymerization and subsequently acid-base
c. Hydrolysis and subsequently chelation
d. Hydrolysis and subsequently acid-base

85. Which of the following is not an accelerator of the setting reaction of zinc oxide eugenol cement?
a. Water
b. Zinc acetate
c. Acetic acid
d. Lower atmospheric temperature
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86. How many types of zinc oxide eugenol cements are listed under ADA specification number 30?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4

87. What happens to the setting reaction of zinc oxide eugenol cement if the glass slab is cooled below the
dew point?
a. Slows the reaction
b. Accelerates the reaction
c. No effect on the reaction
d. Unpredictable effect on the reaction

88. Type IV zinc oxide eugenol cement is expected to serve as a restorative material for
a. Few days to few months
b. Few weeks to few months
c. About an year
d. More than year

89. Zinc oxide eugenol is contraindicated to be used under which restorations

a. Amalgam
b. Ceramics
c. Composites
d. Gold

90. A eugenol containing modification of zinc oxide eugenol cement for higher strength and abrasion
resistance contains
a. Ortho-ethoxy benzoic acid
b. Alumina
c. Polymer particles treated with carboxylic acid
d. All the above

91. The setting reaction of calcium hydroxide cement when used as a two-paste system yields
a. Calcium hydroxide
b. Calcium monohydrate
c. Calcium dihydrate
d. Calcium disalicylate

92. The solubility of calcium hydroxide in distilled water in 24 hours is

a. 0.1-2.5 wt%
c. 0.4-0.8 wt%
b. 0.4-5.5 wt%
d. 1-10 wt%

93. In in vivo studies which cement has the highest resistance to degradation
a. Glass ionomer cement
b. Zinc phosphate cement
c. Polycarboxylate
d. Zinc oxide eugenol

94. Which dental cement despite having served as universal luting cement for a long time is not suitable
when the mechanical retention is poor or when aesthetic demands are high?
a. Glass ionomer cement
c. Zinc phosphate cement
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b. Zinc oxide eugenol
d. Resin cement

95. The main advantage of improved zinc oxide eugenol cement is its
a. High strength
b. High aesthetics
c. High biocompatibility
d. High adhesiveness

96. The outstanding characteristic of polycarboxylate cement

a. Pseudoplasticity
b. Kindness to the pulp and adhesiveness
c. Extended working time
d. Fluoride release

97. Which property of glass ionomer cement is inferior to zinc phosphate cement?
a. Fluoride release
c. Adhesion
b. Modulus of elasticity
d. Tensile strength

98. Which of the following cement is virtually insoluble in the oral cavity?
a. Glass ionomer cement
b. Polycarboxylate
c. Zinc phosphate cement
d. Resin cement