Electrical resistivity and setting characteristics of some biomaterials

Abstract

Cement base materials are used under metallic restorations to minimize pain due to galvanic current. The setting time - current characteristics of dental cements show that, immediately after mixing of the powder-liquid, the resistivity of dental cements such as Zinc Polycarboxylate, Zinc Phosphate and Glass Ionomer is of the order of 103 Ω - m. The resistivity of these fully set cement is high and of the order of 107 Ω - m. Glass ionomer cement show prolonged conductivity suggesting that, clinically when used as bases under metallic fillings, they may not function adequately as insulators against the effects of galvanic currents on the pulp.