[Retentive strength comparison between a local made and an imported brand of zinc oxide-eugenol cement]

ABSTRACT

Provisional cements are used to temporarily retain provisional and permanent fixed restorations on the prepared teeth. The retentive strengths of two different local made and imported brand of zinc oxide-eugenol provisional cements were evaluated in this study. This experimental study was conducted by using 36 cylindrical amalgam cores with a width of 5.9 mm and height of 6 mm that were made by condensing amalgam in brass molds. Thirty-three cylindrical spaces with a width of 6 mm and height of 6 mm were prepared in the center of Rexillium III alloy cast rods. Cores were divided into two groups and retainers were cemented with both types of cements. The samples were stored in 100% humidity at 37°C. DARTEK testing machine was used to test samples at 0.02 cm/minute cross head speed for their retentive strength. The data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney statistical test. Mean separation force in the group of local made cement was 38.2 +/- 10.02, while it was 153.9 +/- 26.05 MPA in the imported group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant [P<0.0005]. Based on the findings of this study the retentive strength of local made provisional cement was significantly lower than the imported one