Setting Time
The elapsed time from the start of mixing a dental material to the point at which it achieves sufficient rigidity for clinical use, as defined by standardised indenter tests.
Full Definition
Setting time is a critical manipulative property of dental materials such as cements, impression materials, plasters, and resin composites. It is typically subdivided into working time (the period during which the material remains plastic and manipulable) and final setting time (when the material reaches clinical hardness). Standardised measurement employs a Vicat needle or Gillmore needle according to ISO specifications. Editors working on clinical or materials science manuscripts should ensure that working time and setting time are not used interchangeably, as each represents a distinct phase of the setting reaction. Temperature and humidity can significantly affect reported setting times, and editorial notes should flag whether test conditions are specified.
Usage
Usage note: Do not conflate with 'working time,' which ends before the final setting time is reached.
In Context
- "The zinc phosphate cement demonstrated a final setting time of seven minutes at 23 °C under standardised conditions." — ISO compliance report
- "The manuscript incorrectly used 'setting time' and 'working time' as synonyms; the editor queried the distinction for author clarification." — Copy-editing query log