An In vitro Study to Evaluate the Effect of Eugenol-free and Eugenol-containing Temporary Cements on the Bond Strength of Resin Cement and Considering Time as a Factor

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of eugenol-free and eugenol-containing cements on the bond strength of resin cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dentin was exposed in five groups of extracted teeth (20 specimens each). In Group 1, specimens were not given temporary cementation. In Groups 2 and 3, specimens were given temporary restoration fixed with eugenol-free temporary cement for 7 and 14 days, respectively. In Groups 4 and 5, specimens were given temporary restoration fixed with eugenol-containing temporary cement for 7 and 14 days, respectively. Permanent cementation was done for all groups after specified period of time. Shear bond strength testing of specimens was carried under universal testing machine. The data were analyzed by SPSS for Windows (version 14) statistical package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: One-way analysis of variance test revealed that Group 1 specimens produced higher shear bond strength than Groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5, no significant difference in shear bond strength was observed between provisional restoration with eugenol-containing zinc oxide cement and provisional restoration with eugenol-free zinc oxide cement (P = 0.095). CONCLUSION: The findings of this in vitro experiment lend no support to the common opinion that eugenol-containing cements should be avoided as temporary cement.