Biologic Considerations in the Selection and Use of Restorative Materials

Abstract

Restorative materials must satisfy certain physical and chemical requirements before they can be certified for use in patients. They must also satisfy certain biologic requirements. Stated briefly, restorative materials must not be injurious to the living tissues by virtue of their chemical action or marginal leakage, since these may inhibit sclerosis of the dentinal tubules and reparative dentin formation. Since few restorative materials now available can fully satisfy these requirements, properly selected liners and bases should be carefully considered for use under most, if not all, restorations. This is particularly true under silicate cement restorations, under which a calcium hydroxide liner should be used (especially in young teeth), and under amalgam restorations, where a copal resin varnish tends to seal the margins, reduces galvanic action and corrosion and prevents darkening of the underlying dentin by penetration of mercuric ions.