All indirect dental restorations must be cemented for final delivery into the patient’s mouth. The question arises, is the cementation of the indirect restoration the final step in the procedure or is it just the beginning of the restoration’s clinical life? Because of this question, clinicians must remember that with a variety of all-ceramic materials available in today’s clinical practice it is vital to understand what type of cement will provide the best opportunity for a positive long-term outcome. Currently, there are four major cement categories: glass ionomer cement, resin-modified glass ionomer cement, self-adhesive resin cement, and adhesive resin cement. Selecting the right permanent cement can often be confusing for clinicians given that multiple factors must be considered, including: preparation design, required bond strength, restorative material (substrate), ability to isolate the field, and esthetics.

At the conclusion of this session, attendees should be able to:

• Understand how to match cement to crown material for optimum results.
• Compare the four major categories of final cements.
• Understand clinical techniques to make cementation of indirect restorations simpler and more predictable.