Luting Cement
Pronunciation: LYOO-ting
A dental adhesive cement used to permanently or semi-permanently attach indirect restorations—such as crowns, bridges, and inlays—to prepared tooth structure or implant abutments.
Full Definition
Luting cement is the collective term for materials used to seal the interface between an indirect prosthetic restoration and its tooth or implant support, providing retention, marginal seal, and load distribution. Common types include zinc phosphate cement, glass ionomer cement, resin-modified glass ionomer cement, and resin-based luting cements (e.g., dual-cure composites). Editors should note that 'luting cement' is the correct generic term; 'cementation' describes the process, and 'cement' alone is ambiguous without qualification. The term 'luting agent' is a synonym sometimes used in older literature. Documents should specify the cement type (e.g., 'resin luting cement') rather than using the generic term alone where clinical precision is required.
Usage
Usage note: 'Luting cement' is the preferred generic noun; use 'cementation' for the process. Always specify cement type (resin, glass ionomer, zinc phosphate) in clinical and research documents to avoid ambiguity.
In Context
- "A dual-cure resin luting cement was selected to bond the ceramic crown to the prepared abutment." — Clinical protocol document
- "The manuscript referred generically to 'cement' throughout, which the editor expanded to 'resin luting cement' to reflect the materials and methods section." — Manuscript editing note