Abstract
A broad classification of the various dental restorative materials has been proposed for easy understanding for undergraduate students. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted for the various dental materials available. The literature search revealed the classifications of individual materials based on their composition, use, and techniques employed. The proposed classification will facilitate effective communication and easy understanding of the various dental restorative materials as a whole.
Keywords: Classification, dental materials, restorative materials
Numerous dental materials have been introduced in the field of restorative dentistry. Literature review reveals a description of many restorative materials such as silver amalgam, composite resin, and various auxiliary materials by the pioneers in dentistry.[1,2] They are generally classified individually according to their composition and/or uses. However, a concise classification of these materials in toto is lacking to date. A classification of this plethora of materials, on the whole, would facilitate effective communication and provide an educational understanding for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The proposed classification provided in [Table 1] would succinctly provide a “birds' eye view” of the various materials used in clinical practice. By this, an undergraduate student would be able to comprehend and draw the connecting line between the materials used in various clinical situations effectively[4]. This classification provides the basic understanding of various dental materials in restorative dentistry at the undergraduate level; however, the postgraduates should elaborate on each of these materials based on their advancements.
Table 1.
Classification of dental restorative materials
| Category | Material |
|---|---|
| Restorative | |
| Metallic | |
| Direct | Silver amalgam Direct gold filling |
| Indirect | Cast restoration-noble metal, base metal |
| Nonmetallic (tooth-colored restoration) | |
| Direct | GIC Composite resin |
| Indirect | Dental ceramics Indirect composite |
| Auxiliary (based on their use) | |
| Pulp protection materials | Cavity varnish Liner (calcium hydroxide, ZOE) Base (thermomechanical insulator) - Zinc phosphate, GIC, zinc polycarboxylate |
| Adhesives | Acid etchant Bonding agent (etch and rinse, self-etch, universal) |
| Luting | GIC Zinc phosphate Resin cement |
| Impression materials[3] | Inelastic or rigid Elastic - Agar hydrocolloid, alginate hydrocolloid and nonaqueous elastomers |
| Cements | |
| Zinc based | Zinc oxide eugenol Zinc phosphate Zinc polycarboxylate |
| Silicate based | Silicate GIC |
| Calcium and calcium silicate based | Calcium hydroxide, mineral trioxide aggregate, Biodentine |
| Calcium phosphate based | Calcium-enriched mixture, tricalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, tetracalcium phosphate |
| Lab materials | |
| Gypsum[3] | Type I to Type V (based on ANSI/ADA specification) |
| Dental wax[4] | Pattern wax - Inlay wax, casting wax, baseplate Processing wax - Boxing wax, utility wax, sticky wax Impression wax - Corrective wax, bite wax |
| Investment materials | Gypsum bonded Phosphate bonded Ethyl silicate bonded |
| Casting materials | Sprue, Sprue former, casting ring liner |
GIC: Glass ionomer cement, ZOE: Zinc oxide eugenol, ANSI: American National Standards Institute, ADA: American Dental Association
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
REFERENCES
- 1.Marzouk MA, Simonton AL, Gross RD. New Delhi, India: All India Publishers & Distributors; 1997. Operative Dentistry: Modern Theory and Practice; p. 105. [Google Scholar]
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