Solubility
The mass of a dental material that dissolves or disintegrates per unit surface area when immersed in a standardised aqueous medium, expressed in μg/mm².
Full Definition
Solubility is an ISO-standardised property that measures the susceptibility of a dental material—particularly cements and resin composites—to degradation in oral fluids. Low solubility is essential for long-term clinical performance, as dissolution leads to marginal breakdown, gap formation, and secondary caries. ISO 4049 specifies that resin-based materials must not exceed 40 μg/mm² solubility in water. Editors should note that solubility and water sorption (a related but distinct property) are routinely reported together, as both reflect a material's stability in the aqueous oral environment. Solubility should not be confused with erosion, which implies acid-mediated loss rather than passive dissolution.
Usage
Usage note: Reported in μg/mm²; always pair with the ISO test standard and immersion duration. Distinguish from water sorption, which is a separate ISO measurement.
In Context
- "The experimental cement demonstrated a solubility of 28 μg/mm² after 24 hours of immersion, well within the ISO 4049 threshold." — Materials characterisation study
- "The author reported solubility and water sorption data in the same table without differentiating the two; the editor added a clarifying footnote." — Manuscript editing note