A survey on the current practice in the use of luting agents for zirconia restorations by general dentists

Aim: The aim of the survey conducted was to evaluate the current practice in the use of luting agents for zirconia restorations by general dentists. Materials and methods: The survey questionnaire consisted of 14 questions aimed towards evaluating the current practice in the use of luting agents for zirconia restorations by general dentists. This questionnaire was validated by a panel of senior prosthodontists and was sent to 1000 dental practitioners in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Results and conclusion: Within limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that, zirconia crowns are being increasingly used by dental practitioners and most practitioners advocate monolithic zirconia. Majority practitioners use glass ionomer cement for luting zirconia crowns. Most dental practitioners believed that zirconia crowns did not require to be etched. Most, however, also believed that zirconia did not need surface treatment. Sand blasting was suggested as the preferred surface treatment to the laboratory by a greater percentage of the dental practitioners surveyed. Most practitioners rarely encountered debonding of zirconia crowns and debonding was observed greatest when luted with zinc phosphate cement. The surface from which debonding of zirconia crowns occurred was not observed by the majority of the practitioners who participated in the survey. Clinical significance: The results of the present study will serve as a guide to the clinicians for the appropriate selection of the luting agent and surface treatment of zirconia restorations, which will in turn help to increase the clinical performance of the zirconia restorations.