Evaluation and Comparison of Flexural Strength and Diametral Tensile Strength of Four Commercially Available Resin Luting Cements Before and After Immersion in Artificial Saliva – An In vitro Study

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare flexural strength and diametral tensile strength of four commercially available resin luting cements before and after immersion in artificial saliva. Methodology: For study purpose, stainless steel dies of dimensions 6 mm × 2 mm for testing indirect tensile strength and 25 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm for flexural strength testing were fabricated. The materials were grouped as A, B, C and D, with a total number of 40 specimens in each group. Of these, 20 specimens were tested for flexural strength and 20 for indirect tensile strength, where 10 specimens were control and remaining 10 were immersed for 24 hours in artificial saliva. All the luting cements were manipulated and filled into the cavities. The specimens were allowed to set and carefully removed. Results: Highest flexural and indirect tensile strengths were recorded for Group B and least for Group C. There was a significant decrease in the properties in all the tested cements after immersion in artificial saliva for 24 hours, except for flexural strength in Group A, which showed a small amount of increase. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that Estecem plus showed the highest flexural and indirect tensile strength, whereas Maxcem Elite showed the least among all the cements tested.