The desirability of using radiopaque plastics in dentistry: a status report. Council on Dental Materials, Instruments, and Equipment.

Radiopacity in dental plastic materials is desirable. Currently, only radiopaque composite restorative materials and one temporary crown material are commercially available. Developments in incorporating radiopacity in other dental polymeric materials should be encouraged. Also, research should be conducted to quantify and standardize radiopacity both in materials and their clinical utilization. No requirement of radiopacity is currently included in any ANSI/ADA Specification applicable to dental plastic materials. However, standard test methods (ASTM Standard F640-79) have been established for radiopacity of plastics for medical use. The Council on Dental Materials, Instruments, and Equipment recommends that appropriate subcommittees of the American National Standards Committee MD156 develop, as quickly as possible, requirements and appropriate test methods to be placed in future revisions of standards covering plastics in dentistry.