A teamwork of specialized dentists, general dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dental technicians is needed in providing good oral health services. A bad workman always blames his tools. It is mandatory that the associated dental personnel have adequate knowledge of the material science. This not only enables them to select and handle the appropriate materials for the given clinical situation, but also ensures optimal properties of the material.

1. INTRODUCTION
TO
DENTAL MATERIALS
Dr. ANSHUL SAHU
BDS, MDS (PROSTHODONTIC)

2. The Titanic didn’t sink because it hit an iceberg; it
sank because the steel was brittle and it cracked. If
you know the structure of a material, you can figure
out how to improve it.
-Stephen Pennycook

3. DENTISTRY
Dentistry is an art and a branch of medical science that
deals with the study, diagnosis, prevention, and
treatment of diseases of the teeth, other parts of oral
cavity, maxillofacial area, and the adjacent and
associated structures.

4. DENTAL SPECIALTIES
Currently nine specialties are recognized by the Dental
Council of India:
1. Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
2. Periodontics
3. Prosthodontics
4. Public Health Dentistry
5. Oral Medicine and Radiology
6. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
7. Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
8. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
9. Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry

5. PROSTHODONTICS
Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the
diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and
maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance
and health of patients with clinical conditions associated
with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and
maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.

6. DENTAL MATERIALS
The science of dental materials is defined as, The study
of composition, properties, manipulation, chemical
reaction, mechanism of action, indications,
contraindications, and clinical applications of the
materials used in dentistry.

7. Science of dental materials is a basic science which deals with
physical, mechanical and biological properties of dental
materials. The study of Science of dental materials gives the
operator a basic knowledge about the materials. This help to
choose a material and allow him/her to effectively manipulate it.

8. “WHY ARE WE STUDYING THIS SUBJECT?”
1. For the knowledge to make optimal selection of
materials
2. To understand the behavior of the materials, use,
handling and manipulation
3. Safety considerations of the materials
4. Patient education
5. Understand the professional literature

9. IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL MATERIALS SCIENCE
The science of dental materials has two main benefits;
1. Selection of the materials
2. Evaluation of the materials

10. 1. SELECTION OF THE MATERIALS:

11. 2. EVALUATION OF THE MATERIALS:
Most manufacturers of dental materials operate an
extensive quality assurance program and the materials
are thoroughly tested before being released to the
general practitioner.
1. Standard specifications
2. Laboratory evaluations
3. Clinical trials

12. 1. STANDARD SPECIFICATION:
To effectively maintain quality levels for dental
materials, basically these standard agencies are
responsible:
 American Dental Association (ADA)
 Federation Dental Association (FDA)
 International Standard Organization(ISO)

13. 2. LABORATORY EVALUATIONS:
Performed initially for testing a new material. It is
carried out outside the human body. This evaluation
may include some animal tests for systemic toxicity.

14. 3. CLINICAL TRIALS:
Manufacturers carryout extensive clinical trials of new
materials in group of peoples, normally in cooperation
with a university or hospital department, prior to
releasing a product for use by practitioners.

15. HOW TO CLASSIFY DENTAL MATERIALS?
Dental materials may be classified as:
A. Preventive dental materials
B. Restorative dental materials
C. Auxiliary dental materials

16. A. PREVENTIVE DENTAL MATERIALS
Preventive dental materials are used to prevent diseases
in the oral cavity. e.g.
 Pit and Fissure Sealants
 Materials used primarily for their anti-bacterial effects.
 Liners, bases, cements and restorative materials that are
used primarily because they release fluoride.
 Chlorhexidine or other therapeutic agents used to prevent or
inhibit the progression of tooth decay.
*In some cases, a preventive material may also serve as
a restorative material that may be used for a short-term
application (up to several months), or for longer periods.

17. B. RESTORATIVE DENTAL MATERIALS:
It consists of all synthetic components that can be used to
repair or replace tooth structure, including:
 Primers
 Bonding agents
 Liners
 Cement bases
 Amalgams
 Resin-based composites
 Compomers
 Hybrid ionomers
 Cast metals
 Metal-ceramics
 Ceramics
 Denture polymers

18. *Restorative materials may be used for temporary,
short-term purposes (such as temporary cements and
temporary crown and bridge resins), or for longer term
applications (dentin bonding agents, inlays, onlays,
crowns, removable dentures, fixed bridges, and
orthodontic appliances)

19. Restorative materials may further be classified as direct
restorative materials or indirect restorative materials;
i. Direct restorative materials
Used intra-orally to fabricate restorations or prosthetic
devices directly on the teeth.
ii. Indirect restorative materials
Made extra-orally in which the materials are formed
indirectly on casts or other replicas of the teeth.

20. C. AUXILIARY DENTAL MATERIALS:
Substances that are used in the process of fabricating
dental prostheses and appliances but do not become
part of these devices. These include:
 Acid – etch solutions
 Impression materials
 Casting investments
 Gypsum cast and model materials
 Dental waxes
 Acrylic resins for impression and bleaching trays
 Finishing and polishing abrasives

22. SUMMARY
A teamwork of specialized dentists, general dentists,
dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dental
technicians is needed in providing good oral health
services. A bad workman always blames his tools. It is
mandatory that the associated dental personnel have
adequate knowledge of the material science. This not
only enables them to select and handle the appropriate
materials for the given clinical situation, but also
ensures optimal properties of the material.

23. Thank You