Dental Cements and Adhesives Practice Questions
20 free Dental Cements and Adhesives practice questions for the CDA. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which of the following is considered a “conventional water-based” dental cement?
- A Resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC)
- B Zinc phosphate cement
- C Self-adhesive resin cement
- D Light-cure composite resin
Correct answer: Zinc phosphate cement
Zinc phosphate cement is a traditional water-based hydraulic cement that sets by acid-base reaction and does not rely on resin polymerization, making it a conventional cement type.
What is a major advantage of glass ionomer cement (GIC) over zinc phosphate cement when luting crowns?
- A Higher compressive strength
- B Chemical adhesion to tooth structure and fluoride release
- C Far longer working time
- D Greater aesthetic translucency
Correct answer: Chemical adhesion to tooth structure and fluoride release
Glass ionomer cement chemically bonds to enamel and dentin and releases fluoride, which can help reduce recurrent decay — advantages over zinc phosphate, which lacks chemical adhesion and fluoride release.
Why might a clinician choose a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) for luting an indirect restoration in a moist environment?
- A RMGIC is completely resin-free so moisture does not matter
- B RMGIC has enhanced strength and better moisture resistance than conventional GIC
- C RMGIC sets by light only and is unaffected by saliva
- D RMGIC bonds only to metal restorations
Correct answer: RMGIC has enhanced strength and better moisture resistance than conventional GIC
RMGIC combines properties of GIC with added resin, improving strength and reducing sensitivity to early moisture exposure — making it more suitable than conventional GIC in less-ideal humidity conditions.
Which dental cement type generally provides the highest bond strength to tooth structure and is preferred for ceramic veneers or all-ceramic crowns?
- A Zinc phosphate cement
- B Zinc polycarboxylate cement
- C Resin-based cement
- D Zinc oxide-eugenol cement
Correct answer: Resin-based cement
Resin-based cements (adhesive or self-adhesive) provide high bond strength and excellent retention for ceramic and resin restorations, outperforming conventional cements like zinc phosphate.
Which cement is most appropriate if a temporary crown needs to be removed easily without damaging the tooth?
- A Glass ionomer cement (GIC)
- B Zinc phosphate cement
- C Zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) temporary cement
- D Resin cement
Correct answer: Zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) temporary cement
Zinc oxide-eugenol cement is commonly used for temporary restorations because it provides sufficient retention yet allows easy removal of the provisional without harming the underlying tooth.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of traditional zinc phosphate cement compared to modern adhesive cements?
- A High solubility in saliva over time
- B Lack of mechanical retention
- C Very high film thickness preventing seating
- D Complex bonding chemistry
Correct answer: High solubility in saliva over time
Zinc phosphate cement is more soluble in oral fluids over time than resin-based or glass-ionomer cements, which can lead to marginal leakage and restoration failure.
What role does a resin-based cement classified as “self-adhesive” play in indirect restoration cementation?
- A It requires separate etching and bonding steps
- B It bonds to tooth structures without separate adhesive, simplifying protocol
- C It cannot bond to metal or ceramic restorations
- D It sets only by light-curing
Correct answer: It bonds to tooth structures without separate adhesive, simplifying protocol
Self-adhesive resin cements are designed to adhere to dentin/enamel without separate etching or bonding steps, making them convenient for indirect restorations.
Which cement type releases fluoride and may help reduce secondary caries adjacent to the restoration?
- A Resin-based cement
- B Zinc phosphate cement
- C Glass ionomer cement
- D Temporary eugenol-based cement
Correct answer: Glass ionomer cement
Glass ionomer cement releases fluoride over time, contributing to the prevention of recurrent caries near restoration margins.
In which scenario is polycarboxylate cement often preferred over zinc phosphate cement?
- A When highest strength is needed for long-term crowns
- B When pulp irritation must be minimized in deep cavity preparations
- C When temporary cementation is desired
- D For cementing ceramic veneers
Correct answer: When pulp irritation must be minimized in deep cavity preparations
Polycarboxylate cement is less irritating to the pulp compared to acidic zinc phosphate, making it preferable when pulpal protection is a priority, such as in deep preparations.
Which property is considered ideal for a dental cement to ensure a good marginal seal and long-lasting restoration?
- A High solubility in saliva to allow adjustment
- B Low film thickness and strong adhesion to tooth and restoration
- C Low compressive strength to allow flexibility
- D Rapid setting in seconds under any moisture
Correct answer: Low film thickness and strong adhesion to tooth and restoration
Low film thickness reduces gaps, and strong adhesion helps keep the restoration sealed and stable — both critical for preventing microleakage and ensuring longevity.
Why might resin-based cements be considered more technique-sensitive than conventional cements?
- A They set by a simple acid-base reaction that is unaffected by moisture
- B They need precise surface treatment, mixing, and correct polymerization
- C They have essentially no adhesion to the underlying tooth structure
- D They can be very easily removed later on without damaging the seated restoration
Correct answer: They need precise surface treatment, mixing, and correct polymerization
Resin-based cements need correct substrate treatment (etching, priming), accurate mixing, and appropriate curing; errors may compromise bond strength or marginal integrity.
Which type of cement is most likely to be used for cementing a zirconia crown where moisture control is difficult?
- A Zinc phosphate cement
- B Glass ionomer cement
- C Self-adhesive resin cement
- D Zinc oxide-eugenol cement
Correct answer: Self-adhesive resin cement
Self-adhesive resin cements tolerate some moisture and provide adequate bond strength even under less ideal conditions, making them suitable for zirconia crowns when isolation is challenging.
Which of the following statements is correct regarding resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs)?
- A They lack fluoride release because of the resin component
- B They have no adhesion to tooth structure
- C They combine chemical adhesion and improved physical properties over conventional GIC
- D They cannot be used for luting crowns
Correct answer: They combine chemical adhesion and improved physical properties over conventional GIC
RMGICs retain the chemical adhesion and fluoride release of conventional GICs while offering improved strength and better resistance to moisture — enhancing their versatility.
Which dental cement type is least suitable for use under resin-based restorations due to potential interference with polymerization?
- A Resin cement
- B Zinc phosphate cement
- C Zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) cement
- D Glass ionomer cement
Correct answer: Zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) cement
Zinc oxide-eugenol releases eugenol, which can inhibit polymerization of resin-based materials, making it ill-suited under such restorations.
What defines a “luting cement” in restorative dentistry?
- A A cement used for temporary fillings only
- B A cement used to bond and seat indirect restorations like crowns, bridges, inlays
- C A cement designed for direct composite restorations
- D A cement used exclusively for orthodontic brackets
Correct answer: A cement used to bond and seat indirect restorations like crowns, bridges, inlays
Luting cements are specifically formulated to permanently seat and seal indirect restorations — crowns, bridges, inlays, and onlays.
Why is low film thickness an important characteristic of a good dental cement for prosthesis seating?
- A It allows more space for excess cement
- B It ensures proper fit and full seating of the restoration without open margins
- C It provides thermal insulation for the pulp
- D It speeds up setting time
Correct answer: It ensures proper fit and full seating of the restoration without open margins
Low film thickness helps ensure that the restoration seats fully and fits precisely, minimizing marginal gaps and reducing risk of leakage or misfit.
Which cement type uses an acid-base reaction between a powder oxide and an acidic liquid, producing an exothermic reaction during mixing?
- A Resin cement
- B Zinc phosphate cement
- C Resin-modified glass ionomer cement
- D Zinc polycarboxylate cement
Correct answer: Zinc phosphate cement
Zinc phosphate cement is mixed by combining zinc oxide powder with phosphoric acid liquid, an acid–base reaction that releases heat, hence the exothermic reaction.
Which cement type provides the best balance of fluoride release, chemical adhesion, and relative ease of use for small restorations or core build-ups?
- A Zinc phosphate cement
- B Glass ionomer cement
- C Zinc oxide-eugenol cement
- D Temporary resin cement
Correct answer: Glass ionomer cement
Glass ionomer cement offers chemical adhesion, fluoride release to help prevent caries, and manageable handling — making it suitable for small restorations, bases, or core build-ups.
What is a potential disadvantage of resin-based cements compared to conventional glass ionomers or zinc phosphate cements?
- A Higher solubility in oral fluids
- B Lower mechanical strength
- C Greater technique sensitivity and risk of polymerization problems
- D Lack of adhesion to enamel
Correct answer: Greater technique sensitivity and risk of polymerization problems
Resin-based cements offer high strength but require careful handling, adequate polymerization, and proper substrate preparation; misuse can compromise bond strength and long-term performance.
Which cement type is typically used as a base/liner under deep metallic restorations to provide thermal insulation and sedative effect on the pulp?
- A Resin-based cement
- B Zinc phosphate cement
- C Zinc oxide-eugenol cement
- D Glass ionomer cement
Correct answer: Zinc oxide-eugenol cement
Zinc oxide-eugenol cement (or eugenol-based variants) is commonly used as a liner or base beneath metal restorations because of its soothing effect on the pulp and acceptable sealing when temporary insulation is needed.