Distribution of zinc ions from orthophosphate cements at the cement-tooth interface in fixed dental prosthesis.

Cast metal prostheses are considered to be one of the best ways to restore the morphology and function of missing teeth. However, the success of fixed prosthesis therapy is mainly to be judged on its durability. It is therefore important to know how cemented prostheses behave in the mouth. A protocol for an in vivo study was set up to analyse the influence of time on the release of zinc ions from zinc orthophosphate cements used at the tooth-prosthesis interface.