Calcium hydroxide-modified zinc polycarboxylate dental cements

In this research, the effects of calcium hydroxide addition to zinc polycarboxylate cements have been studied on microstructural properties, setting time, pH changes and compressive strength. The results indicated that the setting time of the resultant cements increased with increase in the calcium hydroxide content to the cement matrix. Moreover, the compressive strength of the set cement optimally increased with addition of 5 wt% calcium hydroxide and then decreased by addition of 10 and 15 wt% calcium hydroxide. The effect of calcium hydroxide content on the properties of the set cements however was somewhat more complex, and a variable correlation was observed between the initial setting time and compressive strength. The prepared cements could be useful in surgical sites that are not freely accessible when using minimally invasive techniques. This is a preliminary study and more detailed work is required to evaluate other properties of this class of material.