Zinc Oxide Eugenol
Also written as: ZOE — Zinc Oxide Eugenol
A dental material formed by mixing zinc oxide powder with eugenol liquid, widely used as a temporary cement, cavity liner, and impression paste due to its obtundant and sedative properties.
Full Definition
Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) is a versatile dental material whose clinical utility derives from the anti-inflammatory and obtundant (pain-relieving) properties of eugenol on the dental pulp. The zinc oxide reacts with eugenol to form a chelate salt (zinc eugenolate) in a low-strength, crystalline matrix. ZOE formulations include reinforced versions (EBA-reinforced) for longer-term applications. A critically important editorial note is that eugenol inhibits the polymerisation of resin-based composites; documents discussing material selection for direct restorations must address this incompatibility. The abbreviation ZOE is standard across the literature.
Usage
Usage note: ZOE inhibits the setting of resin composites; editors should flag any protocol that uses ZOE immediately prior to composite placement without noting this contraindication.
In Context
- "A zinc oxide eugenol temporary restoration was placed, but the clinician noted that it would need replacement before composite bonding." — Clinical case discussion
- "Editors should ensure that any protocol involving ZOE as a preceding material explicitly addresses its inhibitory effect on resin polymerisation." — Clinical protocol manuscript review