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If you’re a dentist, dental technician, or practice manager, you already know that picking the right dental cement is more than just ticking a box on a supplies order form. The right luting agent affects retention, marginal seal, sensitivity, and ultimately patient satisfaction. From long-term crowns to quick temporary fixes, the cement you choose can make the difference between a restoration that lasts and one that needs rework in months.
Dental cements come in a handful of types, each with its strengths and limitations. Knowing what each does will make ordering simpler and patient outcomes better. Below I’ll walk you through the main categories and their best-match uses.
Glass ionomer cement is great for situations where fluoride release and chemical bonding to tooth structure matter. It’s commonly used for cementing metal crowns, pediatric restorations, and as a base or liner. GICs are forgiving in moist conditions, making them useful when perfect isolation is tricky.
RMGICs blend the fluoride release and adhesion of GIC with improved strength and less solubility. They work well for cementing ceramic and metal-based restorations when you want better mechanical properties than plain GIC.
Resin cements are the go-to for adhesive restorations. If you’re bonding veneers, all-ceramic crowns, or onlays, a resin cement often gives the best aesthetics and retention. They come as self-adhesive, dual-cure, or light-cure formulations, so pick based on restoration thickness and need for bonding agents.
Older but still useful, zinc phosphate offers long track records for mechanical retention, while zinc oxide eugenol is a classic temporary cement that soothes pulp and is easy to remove. These are less common for definitive cementation now but still important in the armamentarium.
When sourcing dental cement in the UK, you’ll find a mix of global manufacturers and specialised UK suppliers. Below are reputable options where many practices order their luting agents and related consumables.
Henry Schein is a major distributor with a broad range of dental cements including resin, GIC, and temporary luting agents. They combine professional account services with bulk ordering options, so practices scaling up or maintaining steady usage often find them convenient.
Plandent supplies both major brands and their own lines of dental materials across Europe, and they serve UK practices with an extensive catalogue. If you want access to brands like 3M, Ivoclar, or Kerr alongside helpful consumables, they’re a solid option.
Dental Directory focuses on UK practice needs and stocks a wide selection of dental cements from leading manufacturers. They’re useful for quick reorders and often have competitive pricing for common cements such as RelyX, Multilink, and Fuji.
Dentsply Sirona is a manufacturer of dental materials and equipment worldwide. Their cements and bonding systems are widely used in restorative dentistry and come with solid technical support and documentation for clinical use.
Ivoclar Vivadent is known for high-quality resin cements like Variolink and Multilink, which are popular for aesthetic restorations. Their products are a go-to for practices that focus on cosmetic outcomes and precision bonding.
3M’s RelyX range includes resin and GIC options that many clinicians trust for their balance of strength and handling. 3M also supplies accessory products like bonding agents and primers to complete the cementation workflow.
Price matters, but it isn’t the only variable. When comparing suppliers, think in terms of total value: product range, technical support, batch traceability, delivery consistency, and warranty or product guarantees. Frequently used brands may appear slightly more expensive per unit but can save chair time and reduce remakes.
If your practice cements a lot of restorations every week, bulk buying often reduces the per-unit cost. Suppliers like Henry Schein or Dental Directory typically offer tiered pricing for bulk orders, while manufacturers may provide pack sizes that fit higher-volume needs.
When you’re trying a new cement, quick access to technical guidance can prevent wasted mixes and unhappy patients. Brands like Ivoclar and Dentsply offer detailed protocols and responsive technical lines, which can be worth the premium for clinically challenging cases.
Let’s get practical. Here’s how some well-known cement types and specific brands pair with common restorative scenarios you’ll see in practice.
Resin cements (for example, Multilink from Ivoclar or RelyX from 3M) are typically best for ceramic restorations due to superior bond strength and translucency control. For thin veneers where light will penetrate, a light-cure resin cement often gives the best colour stability.
Glass ionomer cements or RMGICs are frequently used for metal crowns because they chemically bond to dentine and metal margins tolerate the slightly higher solubility. GC Fuji and similar GICs are common choices for this use.
For temporary crowns and provisional restorations, temporary cements like zinc oxide eugenol-based formulas (e.g., TempBond styles) make removal easy and minimize pulpal discomfort. These are ideal when you expect to remove the restoration within a short timeframe.
Even the best cement can fail with poor handling. Small technique tweaks can have big outcomes, so here are straightforward tips that help reduce sensitivity and increase retention.
Mixing by eye is tempting when you’re busy, but incorrect powder-to-liquid ratios or wrong capsule activation can change working time and strength. Use calibrated dispensers or single-dose capsules when available for consistency.
Keep cements within the recommended storage temperature and avoid leaving opened tubes exposed to air for long periods. A cool, dry cabinet is ideal. If a product specifies refrigeration, follow that guidance to preserve working time and shelf life.
Contamination with saliva or blood undermines bonding. Use proper isolation—rubber dam where feasible—and ensure the prepared tooth surface is dry and uncontaminated before applying adhesive systems or cements.
Dental cements are chemical products and should be handled with care. Always consult the product safety data sheet for safe handling, first aid, and disposal instructions. Proper disposal often means collecting uncured material as clinical waste rather than rinsing it down the sink.
Wear gloves and eye protection when mixing and applying cements. Resin-based cements can irritate skin, and uncured materials may be sensitizing for some clinicians.
Unfortunately, the market sometimes has imitation or improperly stored products. Here are a few red flags: unusually low prices compared with market norms, packaging with spelling errors, inconsistent batch codes, or lack of technical documentation. Buying from reputable UK distributors reduces this risk.
Legitimate suppliers provide batch numbers and certificates of conformity on request. If a product lacks traceability, question it before using it on patients.
Negotiation isn’t just for big chains. Even small practices can ask for value: combine orders for instruments and consumables with cements, ask for trial sizes before committing to new brands, and request loyalty discounts or free shipping thresholds when you place regular orders.
Shipping and admin costs add up. Consolidating most of your non-specialist purchases with one or two trusted suppliers often unlocks better pricing and faster service.
Manufacturers continue to innovate with bioactive cements that promote remineralization and with more user-friendly dispensing systems. Sustainability is also on the agenda, with eco-friendlier packaging and reduced-waste capsule systems becoming more common. Keep an eye on new releases from major brands like 3M, Ivoclar, and GC for these advancements.
If you’re thinking about switching products, trial in low-risk scenarios first—single crowns or provisional work—before full adoption. Track outcomes like sensitivity, marginal breakdown, and patient feedback. That clinical data will guide whether a new product is right long-term for your practice.
Choosing the correct dental cement and the right supplier isn’t just a purchasing decision; it’s a clinical one that affects outcomes, chair time, and practice economics. Use trusted UK distributors, stick to manufacturer protocols, and don’t skimp on training and quality control. With the right approach you’ll reduce remakes, increase predictability, and keep patients smiling.
Conclusion: Thoughtful selection of dental cement—based on restoration type, handling needs, and reliable suppliers—pays dividends in clinical performance and patient satisfaction. Evaluate brands, trial cautiously, and prioritize consistent handling and storage to get the best results for your practice.
| Dental Cement | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Dali Input Module Is Preprogrammed Past, The Laws Bowl Only Connected To Dali Bus - Then What Is Ready To Use | kr. 1.143,- |
