Work Time
The period following the start of mixing a dental material during which the operator can manipulate, place, or adapt it without compromising its final properties.
Full Definition
Work time (also called working time) is a standardised clinical property defined in material specifications for cements, impression materials, and resins. It is distinct from setting time, which marks when the material has hardened to a defined endpoint. In dental materials literature, 'working time' and 'work time' are both acceptable; editors should standardise to one form within a document. Confusion with 'pot life' (a term from polymer chemistry that approximates working time) should be avoided in clinical dental manuscripts. ISO standards specify working time for various material categories and define the test conditions.
Usage
Usage note: Standardise to either 'work time' or 'working time' within a document. Avoid 'pot life' in clinical manuscripts. Always report work time with the temperature conditions under which it was measured.
In Context
- "The cement provided a work time of 4 minutes at 23°C, which was sufficient for seating a full-arch fixed partial denture." — Clinical study
- "Work time, setting time, and film thickness were evaluated in accordance with ISO 9917-1 for all luting agents tested." — Materials and methods section