Wettability
The ability of a liquid—typically a bonding agent or cement—to spread over a solid substrate surface, quantified by contact angle measurement.
Full Definition
In dental materials science, wettability describes how readily an adhesive or cement spreads across a tooth or restoration surface, and is measured by the contact angle formed between the liquid droplet and the surface: lower contact angles indicate better wettability and, consequently, better potential for adhesion. Hydrophilic surfaces generally exhibit higher wettability with water-based materials, whereas hydrophobic resin systems may require surface conditioning to achieve adequate spread. Wettability is a critical parameter in bond strength studies and is distinct from viscosity, which describes flow resistance rather than surface affinity. Editors should note that 'wettability' is the correct noun form; 'wettability' should not be hyphenated.
Usage
Usage note: Do not hyphenate 'wettability'. Distinguish from 'viscosity' in methods sections; they measure different material properties.
In Context
- "The primer increased the wettability of the dentine surface, as demonstrated by a reduction in contact angle from 72° to 18°." — Adhesive dentistry research paper
- "Poor wettability of the self-adhesive cement was cited as a contributing factor to the marginal microleakage observed." — Laboratory study discussion section