CLASSIFICATION OF DENTAL

MATERIALS AND RATIONALE OF

SELECTING DENTAL MATERIALS
USED IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY.
GROUP 12

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 Outline
• INTRODUCTION
• CLASSIFICATION OF DENTAL MATERIALS
• RATIONALE FOR SELECTION OF DENTAL MATERIALS
• CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES

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 Introduction
Dental materials are fabricated materials which
are designed to be used in dentistry. Many metals, non
metals, resins, ceramics, organic and inorganic materials
are used to replace or alter the tooth structure in form of
dental materials.

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 Intro…

Dental materials used in pediatric dentistry are chosen

based on the unique needs of children such as behavior
management challenges and developing dentition.

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 Classification of materials used in pediatric dentistry

• Preventive materials
• Restorative materials
• Pulp therapy materials
• Space maintainer materials

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 Preventive Materials
Purpose: To prevent caries occurance.
a) Fluoride Releasing Materials
Examples:
• Fluoride varnishes gels
• Silver Diamine Fluoride (38% SDF)
• Fluoridated tooth pastes

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Rationale
• Releases fluoride for remineralization.
• Antibacterial properties (especially SDF).

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b) Pit and Fissure Sealants
Examples:
• Resin-based sealants
• Glass Ionomer Sealants
Rationale
• Prevents occlusal caries in newly erupted permanent molars.
• GIC sealants are moisture-tolerant, useful in uncooperative
children.

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 Restorative Materials
Purpose: To repair or replace the tooth structures
a) Zinc Oxide Eugenol (ZOE)
It has soothing action on pulpal tissues and eugenol has
topical anesthetic properties
Rationale
• Sedative effect on pulp.
• Less irritating the pulp and easy to manipulate and
remove it.
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b) Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC)
Examples: Fuji IX, Ketac Molar
Rationale:
• Chemical adhesion to the enamel and dentin
• Fluoride releasing to prevent secondary caries

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• Biocompatible and less technique-sensitive.
• Used in atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) for
young/uncooperative children.

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b) Resin-Modified GIC (RMGIC)
Examples: Fuji II LC, Vitrebond (as a liner/base)
Rationale
• Combines fluoride release with improved strength.
• Light-cured for faster setting (useful in children with short
attention spans).

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c) Composite Resins
Rationale
• Aesthetic option for anterior teeth.
• Can withstand masticatory forces for the posterior teeth

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d) Stainless Steel Crowns (SSCs)
Examples: Zirconia Crowns
Rationale
• Gold standard for extensively decayed primary molars.
• High durability, full-coverage protection.
• Preformed crowns reduce chairside time.
• Zirconia crowns offer aesthetics for anterior teeth.

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 Pulp Therapy Materials
Purpose: To repair the pulp and maintain pulp vitality in both
primary and permanent teeth.
a) Calcium Hydroxide
Calcium hydroxide has high alkaline pH (12.5) that helps in
neutralization of acids produced by the microorganisms and
irritating acidic component of restorative base and
materials.
• Examples: Pulpdent paste , Dycal.
.
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Rationale:
• Promotes dentin bridge formation in direct pulp capping
• It has antibacterial properties

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b) Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA)
Is used in direct pulp capping and can be used as an
alternative to calcium hydroxide.
Rationale
• Provides more dentinal bridging in a shorter time
• Superior ability to resist future penetration of bacteria
• Hydrophilic and Highly biocompatible

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c) Formocresol
Pulpotomy medicament that is anti microbial and maintains
radicular pulp
Rationale
• Used for pulpotomy but declining due to safety concerns
(potential carcinogenicity ).

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d) Ferric Sulfate
Ferric sulfate is an alternative to formocresol in bleeding
control during vital pulp therapy

Rationale
• It’s Biocompatible
• Preserves vitality of the pulp

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e) Biodentine
Calcium silicate material used for direct, indirect pulp
capping as well as pulpotomy
Rationale:
• Biocompatible
• Preserves pulp vitality
• Does not stain the tooth

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 Space Maintainer Materials
Purpose: To preserve space after premature loss of primary
teeth.
a) Band-and-Loop Space Maintainer: Unilateral
Rationale
• Prevents mesial drift of permanent molars.

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b) Lingual Arch (Nance, Transpalatal Arch): Bilateral
Rationale
• Maintains space in bilateral missing primary molars.

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 Rationale for Material Selection in
Pediatric Dentistry
1.Child Behavior
Quick-setting materials (GIC) is used to reduce treatment
time

2.Caries Risk
Fluoride-releasing materials (GIC) prevent recurrent caries.

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 3.Aesthetics
Tooth-colored options (composite, zirconia crowns) for
anterior teeth.
4.Durability
Stainless steel crowns are preferred for children with
grossly carious tooth.

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 Conclusion
Pediatric dentistry prioritizes minimally invasive, fluoride-
releasing, and durable materials that accommodate the
behavioral and functional needs of children. The choice
depends on caries risk, cooperation level of the child, tooth
location, and expected longevity.

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References
• Cameron, A. C., & Widmer, R. P. (2013). Handbook of
Pediatric Dentistry.
• Dean, J. A., et al. (2019). McDonald and Avery’s Dentistry
for the Child and Adolescent.
• Welbury, R., et al. (2018). Paediatric Dentistry.

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 GROUP MEMBERS
1.EMMANUEL LUGONGO
2.YOHANA GOLEHA
3.DENNIS NGALUNGA

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