Dental Materials
Shimaa Elsaeed
Assistant Professor
Dental materials are specialized
substances used in various dental
procedures, including restorative,
preventive, and therapeutic applications,
essential for delivering quality dental care
The oral cavity is considered to be the harshest
environment for a material in the body ….
Temperature
pH Variations.
variations.
Variations in
Plaque...
Masticatory forces.
Temperature Variations:
➢Normal temperature of oral cavity (32℃ to 37℃).
➢On intake of a cold/hot food or drink temperature range increases (0℃
to 70℃).
pH of saliva is neutral (7.0):
➢ On intake of acidic fruit juices or alkaline medicaments, pH may vary
from 2.0 to 11.0 .
Variations in Masticatory Forces
Average
•Muscles of Mastication apply Tooth
force (N)
forces to the dentition.
Second molar 800
•Masticatory forces vary from
tooth to tooth. First molar 390
•Average force applied by the Bicuspids 288
tooth increases from anterior to
posteriors. Cuspids 208
Incisors 155
General classification of all materials
All materials can be classified into four classes
1. Metals
2. Ceramics
3. Polymers
4. Composites.
TYPES OF RESTORATIONS
• Restorations may be classified in a number of different ways.
1. Temporary, intermediate and permanent
2. Direct and indirect
3. Esthetic and nonesthetic
Esthetic and Nonesthetic
Material that ireproducing the
color and appearance of a
Esthetic: natural tooth (At one time
gold fillings and crowns were
considered esthetic).
Examples are composites,
glass ionomer and
porcelain restorations.
Nonesthetic:
Esthetic and
Nonesthetic Currently, it denotes any material
that is not tooth colored.
This includes amalgam, direct
filling gold and metal inlays and
onlays.
These are materials used
Direct and Indirect Restorations
to build and restore the
Direct restorations:
tooth structure directly in
the mouth.
These are usually
fabricated outside the
Indirect restorations: mouth and then cemented
into place in the mouth.
(Crown & Bridge)
Dental Materials Used in Clinics
Material Advantages Disadvantages Indications Contraindications
Contains mercury,
Durable, cost- Patients with mercury
Amalgam esthetically Posterior restorations
effective, strong allergies
unpleasing
Esthetic, bonds well
Less durable than
to enamel, Anterior and High caries risk
Composite Resin amalgam, prone to
conservative posterior restorations patients
staining
preparation
Pediatric
Glass Ionomer Releases fluoride, High-load-bearing
Brittle, lower strength restorations, cervical
Cement good adhesion restorations
lesions
Temporary
Good sealing, Weak, temporary use Permanent
Zinc Oxide Eugenol restorations, pulp
soothing effect only restorations
capping
Silicone Impression High accuracy, good Expensive, Impressions for Patients with latex
Material elasticity technique-sensitive crowns, bridges allergies
Does not cause Large cavities
Gold Foil adverse tissue High Cost , Technique Small restorations requiring bulk
reactions. Sensitivity strength
Dental Materials Used in Laboratories
Material Advantages Disadvantages Indications Contraindications
Metal Alloys Expensive, Crowns, bridges,
Strong, corrosion- Patients with metal
(Gold, Cobalt- esthetically removable
resistant allergies
Chromium) unpleasing dentures
Highly esthetic, Anterior crowns, Patients with heavy
Ceramic Crowns Brittle, expensive
biocompatible veneers occlusal forces
Lightweight, easy Prone to wear, less Denture bases, Patients with
Acrylic Resin
to adjust durable temporary crowns allergies to acrylic
Dental Materials Used at Home
Material Advantages Disadvantages Indications Contraindications
Strengthens enamel, Can cause fluorosis Children under 6
Fluoride Toothpaste Daily oral hygiene
prevents decay if overused (excessive use)
Can cause
Whitening Agents Improves esthetics, Patients with enamel
sensitivity, gum Cosmetic whitening
(Peroxide-based) removes stains erosion
irritation
Can be
Mouthguards Protects teeth from Patients with severe
uncomfortable, Sports, bruxism
(Thermoplastic) trauma, bruxism malocclusion
requires proper fit
Removes plaque, Can cause gum
Patients with severe
Dental Floss prevents gum irritation if used Daily oral hygiene
gingival recession
disease improperly
Potassium Nitrate Reduces dentinal Requires prolonged Patients with severe
Sensitive teeth
Toothpaste hypersensitivity use for effect enamel erosion
Temporary
Strengthens enamel, discoloration, High caries risk
Fluoride Varnish Fluoride allergy
prevents decay requires professional patients
application
Periodontal Materials
Material Advantages Disadvantages Indications Contraindications
Supports bone Ridge Patients with
Risk of infection,
regeneration, augmentation, systemic
Bone Grafts variable resorption
improves implant periodontal conditions
rates
success defects affecting healing
Prevents soft
Requires surgical
Barrier tissue invasion, Guided bone Poor oral hygiene
placement,
Membranes aids bone regeneration (GBR) cases
potential exposure
regeneration
Implant Materials
Material Advantages Disadvantages Indications Contraindications
High Patients with
biocompatibility, Expensive, requires Single/multiple uncontrolled
Titanium Implants
strong surgical placement tooth replacement diabetes or
osseointegration osteoporosis
Esthetic, metal- Brittle, technique- Patients with metal Heavy occlusal
Zirconia Implants
free sensitive allergies forces
Orthodontic Materials
Material Advantages Disadvantages Indications Contraindications
Expensive,
Nickel-Titanium High flexibility, Orthodontic arch Patients with nickel
potential nickel
(NiTi) Wires shape memory wires sensitivity
allergy
Esthetic Severe
Esthetic, stain- Brittle, can cause
Ceramic Brackets orthodontic malocclusion
resistant enamel wear
treatment requiring high force
