Light-hardened luting cement for orthodontic bands and appliances.

Use of Vitremer Core Buildup/Restorative Cement (3M Dental Products Division) as a luting cement for orthodontic bands and space maintainers was described in 1994. For use as a luting agent, the restorative cement is mixed with a slightly lower powder liquid ratio so the blend is more fluid than one used for a dental restoration. A chief advantage of using Vitremer Restorative Cement for luting stainless steel orthodontic bands is that the material has a light-curing component which hardens substantially in 40 seconds. When a visible light beam is applied from the occlusal aspect, the light irradiates through the translucent tooth structure and initiates the photopolymerization reaction. Following initial light curing, the chemical resin “dark cure” reaction and acid-base polyalkenoate (glass-ionomer) setting reaction continue to completion within the band. Other band cements take at least several minutes for initial hardening and the teeth must be carefully isolated during that time. Another important advantage is that once hardened, the light-hardened resin-modified glass-ionomer cement systems are virtually insoluble in the mouth and have good physical strengths. Bands luted with such cement do not detach. The fluoride content of these cements in close proximity to enamel surfaces also is a beneficial feature. The only disadvantage to using the lighthardened cement is that the material adheres so well to axial surfaces of both primary and permanent teeth, that when the band or appliance is removed, bur cutting, along with ultrasonic scaling, is often required for complete removal of the glass-ionomer material. 3M Unitek Dental Products now markets a blue-colored light-hardened band cement (Unitek Multi-Cure Glass Ionomer Orthodontic Band Cement) based on the Vitremer Restorative Cement formulation. Three years' experiences with the blue cement have been identical to those with Vitremer Restorative Cement. This technique description details orthodontic band cementation using 3M Unitek Multi-Cure Glass Ionomer Orthodontic Band Cement. In addition, cementation of a translucent mandibular acrylic inclined bite plane for anterior crossbite correction in a preschooler, using a low powder/liquid ratio blend of Vitremer Restorative Cement is described.