Best Dental Cements 2025 Brand Comparison Guide for Dentists

How to Evaluate the Best Dental Cements for Your Practice

Selecting a luting material at expert level is never only a matter of choosing a general category. Experienced dentists decide based on brand specific behaviour, including film thickness, compressive strength, solubility, radiopacity, cleanup characteristics and real moisture tolerance at the chair. A small difference in these parameters can change the outcome of a crown or bridge over the long term.

This guide compares leading glass ionomer, resin modified glass ionomer and temporary cements using verifiable data and clinically relevant observations. Only values with reliable public sources are included. Where data are limited, that limitation is stated clearly so that you can judge the level of evidence by yourself.

From a practical point of view, procurement quality is as important as the material itself. Clinics that centralise their cement ordering through a platform such as Alara reduce stock disruption, avoid unplanned brand changes and keep luting protocols consistent across clinicians and locations.

How to evaluate the best dental cement beyond theoretical categories

For an experienced dentist, the meaningful differences between cements come from quantifiable and clinically perceptible variables. These are the parameters that actually influence long term outcomes in fixed prosthodontics and everyday crown and bridge work.

Compressive strength and long term stability

Compressive strength influences how effectively a cement resists occlusal load and prevents marginal degradation over time. Glass ionomer materials show a wide range. GC Fuji IX GP reaches values around two hundred twenty mega pascal at twenty four hours in independent testing, which is close to the upper limit of conventional glass ionomer formulations. Shofu CX Plus reports compressive strength close to one hundred forty nine mega pascal, which is high for a type one luting glass ionomer.

Resin modified glass ionomer cements introduce resin reinforcement. FujiCEM 2 is documented around one hundred twenty two mega pascal, while RelyX Luting Plus ranges from approximately one hundred thirty five to more than one hundred fifty mega pascal depending on test protocol. These values place resin modified materials in a favourable position for zirconia and metal based crown cementation, especially when combined with reduced solubility.

Film thickness and seating accuracy

Film thickness directly affects marginal fit and seating dynamics. International standards for luting agents specify a limit of twenty five micron. Values close to fifteen micron usually produce smoother seating, especially with precise zirconia copings and narrow marginal gaps.

Shofu CX Plus lists a film thickness around fifteen micron, which is excellent for accurate fit. RelyX Luting Plus is also reported between fifteen and twenty micron. FujiCEM 2 is presented by the manufacturer as a very low film thickness resin modified glass ionomer, and independent evaluations support this positioning. In clinical practice, all these products behave predictably, but extremely tight restorations tend to seat more easily with materials at the lower end of the thickness range.

Solubility and acid erosion

Solubility has a direct impact on marginal integrity. Fuji IX GP shows water solubility around zero point zero two percent in published laboratory data, which is very low for a glass ionomer. CX Plus shows similar performance with acid erosion around zero point zero two millimetre. Resin modified glass ionomer cements typically improve further due to the resin component, although many manufacturers do not publish detailed numeric values.

When solubility data are limited, dentists rely on cumulative clinical experience, independent product evaluations and long term follow up. For clinics that standardise on one system, it is usually more productive to combine a strong glass ionomer such as CX Plus with a resin modified cement such as RelyX Luting Plus or FujiCEM 2 rather than switch between many brands without a clear rationale.

Fluoride release and radiopacity

Fluoride release remains a key advantage of both glass ionomer and resin modified glass ionomer materials in patients with high caries risk or limited hygiene. Fuji IX GP, FujiCEM 2, CX Plus and RelyX Luting Plus all provide fluoride release profiles designed to support remineralisation at restoration margins.

Radiopacity is important for identification of excess cement and for evaluation of margins on radiographs. Values around one point three to one point six millimetre aluminium allow clear visualisation. CX Plus reports radiopacity close to one point five five millimetre aluminium, while RelyX Luting Plus is documented around one point three to one point four millimetre aluminium, which is sufficient for routine diagnostic use.

For procurement teams and clinical directors, this is a good stage to review whether all current cements in the practice actually have documented fluoride release and radiopacity values. Platforms such as Alara can help consolidate this information across suppliers so that the clinical lead can align product selection with caries management protocols and radiographic diagnostic needs.

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Glass ionomer cements compared brand by brand

Inside the glass ionomer family, dentists usually choose between high viscosity restorative materials and dedicated luting cements. GC Fuji IX GP and Shofu CX Plus illustrate two different positions inside this group and help define realistic expectations for strength and handling.

GC Fuji IX GP

Fuji IX GP is primarily a restorative glass ionomer, yet it sets an internal benchmark for mechanical performance.

• Compressive strength around two hundred twenty mega pascal at twenty four hours
• Very low solubility in water and organic acids
• High fluoride release with sustained profile
• Chemical bond to enamel and dentin

Clinically, Fuji IX GP demonstrates how far glass ionomer chemistry can reach without resin reinforcement. It is particularly useful in posterior regions with high caries risk, in build ups where moisture control is imperfect and in patients with compromised enamel. In a comparative context, it acts as an upper reference for strength and stability inside the glass ionomer family.

Shofu CX Plus Type One luting cement

CX Plus is a dedicated type one luting glass ionomer and one of the few products with complete mechanical data available in public technical charts.

• Compressive strength around one hundred forty nine mega pascal
• Film thickness around fifteen micron
• Radiopacity around one point five five millimetre aluminium
• Acid erosion around zero point zero two millimetre
• Working time around four minutes ten seconds from start of mixing

From a clinical perspective, CX Plus offers a very predictable combination of strength, thin film and comfortable working time. It is well suited for stainless steel crowns in paediatric dentistry, metal crowns in general practice and zirconia crowns in children where full adhesive cementation is not necessary. The documented values give clinicians confidence about long term stability and seating behaviour.

For procurement planning, CX Plus can serve as the primary conventional luting glass ionomer in the practice formulary. Ordering through Alara allows clinics to compare prices across distributors, secure volume conditions and maintain a consistent supply of the same cement, which is essential for reproducible cementation protocols.

Resin modified glass ionomer cements compared brand by brand

Resin modified glass ionomer cements combine ionic bonding and fluoride release with improved mechanical strength and lower solubility. FujiCEM 2 and RelyX Luting Plus are two of the most widely documented products in this category.

GC FujiCEM 2

FujiCEM 2 is a self adhesive resin modified glass ionomer indicated for zirconia, metal and porcelain fused to metal crowns and for short span bridges.

• Compressive strength around one hundred twenty two mega pascal in independent product summaries
• Improved flexural strength compared to the original FujiCEM formulation
• Good tolerance to moderate moisture conditions
• Low recorded incidence of postoperative sensitivity in field evaluations

Clinically, FujiCEM 2 is a good choice when the operator needs a reliable self adhesive cement with minimal technique sensitivity. It performs particularly well in cases with subgingival margins and in situations where the rubber dam is not practical. Adhesion to zirconia is adequate for conventional preparation geometries, provided that surface cleaning protocols are respected.

RelyX Luting Plus

RelyX Luting Plus is a resin modified glass ionomer with extensive technical documentation and repeated independent evaluation.

• Compressive strength between one hundred thirty five and one hundred sixty mega pascal depending on test method
• Film thickness in the range of fifteen to twenty micron, below the international standard limit
• Fluoride release profile comparable to other high performance resin modified glass ionomer cements
• Radiopacity around one point three to one point four millimetre aluminium

From a clinical point of view, RelyX Luting Plus is appreciated for very consistent flow, predictable film formation and seating dynamics that remain stable across different operators. It is a strong option for porcelain fused to metal crowns and zirconia crowns where retention geometry is adequate and moisture control is reasonable.

Many practices choose to standardise their resin modified luting protocol on a single product such as RelyX Luting Plus to ensure that all dentists and assistants work with the same handling characteristics. Through Alara, this standardisation can be matched with multivendor pricing and stock visibility, so that a single cement choice does not become a single supplier lock in.

Temporary cements in the clinical workflow

Temporary cements are not the central focus of this guide, yet they strongly influence the transition from provisional to definitive restoration. Their role is to provide controlled retention and comfort while keeping removal easy and protecting the tooth and soft tissues.

Zinc oxide eugenol based cements such as classical TempBond reach retentive strength around eight point eight kilogram in some laboratory tests, with a reduction to about one point six kilogram when modified with petrolatum. This confirms that retention can be tuned and that these cements are intentionally designed not to behave like definitive luting agents. Films often range between twenty five and forty micron, which is acceptable for provisional phases.

Selection of a temporary cement should consider removability, patient comfort and compatibility with the final cement. When an adhesive resin cement will be used for the definitive crown, a non eugenol temporary material or a resin based provisional cement may reduce the risk of interference with polymerisation.

Indication based recommendations

Once properties are clear, the most useful way to think about these cements is by indication. Below are practical recommendations that align brand specific behaviour with common clinical scenarios.

Metal and porcelain fused to metal crowns

For these restorations, mechanical demands are moderate and marginal stability is critical.

• Shofu CX Plus is a strong option when moisture tolerance, fluoride release and comfortable working time are priorities.
• FujiCEM 2 or RelyX Luting Plus are preferable when additional mechanical strength and reduced solubility are desired, especially for bridge abutments.

Zirconia crowns

For zirconia crowns in conventional preparations with adequate retention, resin modified glass ionomer cements are usually the most efficient choice.

• RelyX Luting Plus provides very consistent film formation and seating reliability on zirconia.
• FujiCEM 2 offers strong performance when moisture control is more challenging and self adhesive convenience is valued.

When the preparation is short or lacks mechanical retention, a fully adhesive resin cement becomes more appropriate, regardless of the brand of glass ionomer or resin modified glass ionomer available.

High caries risk and compromised enamel

Patients with recurrent caries, demineralised enamel or complex restorative history benefit from fluoride rich environments around crown margins.

• Fuji IX GP can be used for restorative build ups and cervical areas to create a fluoride releasing base.
• CX Plus is suitable for luting metal or stainless steel crowns in this context, keeping fluoride release at the margin.

Provisional phases

For provisional crowns and bridges, classical zinc oxide eugenol or non eugenol formulations such as TempBond variants remain rational choices.

• Use eugenol based temporary materials when a resin definitive cement is not planned.
• Use non eugenol or resin based temporary cements when a fully adhesive resin cement will be used to avoid possible interference with polymerisation.

Integration of procurement strategy with Alara

At this level of detail, cement selection is both a clinical and an operational decision. The most rational approach is to standardise on a concise portfolio, then secure consistent supply across time and locations. Alara supports this by aggregating offers from multiple distributors, allowing clinics to compare price, availability and delivery terms for the same cement brands in a single interface.

This reduces procurement overhead, prevents last minute brand substitutions and protects the integrity of cementation protocols. When the team knows that CX Plus, FujiCEM 2 and RelyX Luting Plus will be available on a predictable schedule, training, assistant workflows and clinical documentation become more efficient.

Final evaluation and best practice summary

Each cement discussed in this guide can perform at a very high level when used in the right indication. The objective is not to crown who is the best dental cement, but to define a small, coherent portfolio that covers the majority of clinical situations without unnecessary complexity.

• Use a high quality glass ionomer luting cement such as Shofu CX Plus as the main conventional option for metal crowns, paediatric zirconia and stainless steel crowns.
• Use a resin modified glass ionomer such as RelyX Luting Plus or FujiCEM 2 for zirconia crowns and short span bridges when retention geometry is adequate.
• Use a predictable temporary cement for provisional phases, selected according to compatibility with the planned definitive cement.

This combination covers most fixed prosthodontic indications while keeping training and inventory management under control. The key is to know the numeric ranges for strength and film thickness, understand the fluoride and solubility behaviour and maintain consistency in brand selection.

From a business perspective, Alara completes this picture by providing a single place where clinics can source these cements from multiple distributors, compare commercial conditions and avoid stock outs. That stability in procurement translates into stability in clinical performance and fewer surprises at the chair.