Ultrasonically set glass polyalkenoate cements for orthodontic applications

There is an accepted clinical requirement for a luting cement that can be command set upon satisfactory placement of an orthodontic appliance onto dentition. This work evaluates the suitability of ultrasound, imparted from a dental scaler, as a potential mechanism for achieving this. The net setting times and subsequent compressive strengths of a range of commercial and experimental glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) were evaluated, using modified ISO 9917 methods, when set both chemically and by ultrasound. The ultrasound was applied to the GPC through an orthodontic brace. It was possible to command set GPCs by the application of five to ten seconds of ultrasound; the exact time required being dependent upon the composition of the GPC in question. The compressive strengths of these cements can be improved by around 90% with the command set when the optimum PAA molecular weight and tartaric acid content is employed.