Dental materials and radiology: polycarboxylate cement: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Dental materials and radiology: polycarboxylate cement

Sample item

Which luting cement bonds chemically to tooth structure and is relatively kind to the pulp?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Zinc polycarboxylate cement

Zinc polycarboxylate cement bonds to enamel and dentine through carboxyl groups chelating calcium and has low pulp irritation. Zinc phosphate has no chemical adhesion and has an initial low pH.

Option by option

  • A. Zinc oxide eugenol cement

    Zinc oxide eugenol is sedative but weak and not adhesive.

  • B. Zinc polycarboxylate cement (correct)

    Correct. It adheres chemically and is biocompatible.

  • C. Zinc phosphate cement

    Zinc phosphate retains only mechanically and is acidic when set.

  • D. Calcium hydroxide cement

    Calcium hydroxide is a liner and not a luting cement.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Zinc polycarboxylate cement. Zinc polycarboxylate cement bonds to enamel and dentine through carboxyl groups chelating calcium and has low pulp irritation.

Why is "Zinc oxide eugenol cement" not the answer?

Zinc oxide eugenol is sedative but weak and not adhesive.

Why is "Zinc phosphate cement" not the answer?

Zinc phosphate retains only mechanically and is acidic when set.

Why is "Calcium hydroxide cement" not the answer?

Calcium hydroxide is a liner and not a luting cement.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental materials and radiology: polycarboxylate cement in Dentistry. Zinc phosphate has no chemical adhesion and has an initial low pH.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Dental materials and radiology: polycarboxylate cement?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.