Dental Materials: ADA Standards, Scope, and Ideal Properties

Overview Of Dentistry And Dental Materials

ADA Introduction:

ADA standard committee for dental products develops specifications for all dental products, instruments, and equipment known as ADA specifications.

ADA specification numbers are the guidelines with definite requirements for physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of dental materials which have clinical significance and development of new materials, instruments, and test methods that are measured in laboratory and laid down by the American Dental Association for Dental Materials.

Read And Learn More: Dental Materials Question And Answers

The ADA’s Council on scientific affairs is responsible for the evaluation of drugs, teeth cleaning agents, teeth whitening agents, therapeutic agents used in dentistry, and dental X-ray films.

After the formulation of specifications by ADA, it is submitted to ANSI.

• When a product satisfies ADA specification, the manufacturer label the product as ADA-accepted.
• Each dental material is specified by a specification number as ADA specification.
• The first ADA specification was for amalgam alloy, formulated and reported in 1930.
• Details of the first 25 specifications were included in the book

“American Dental Association Guide to Dental Materials and Devices”.

• A close examination of each of the specifications reveals a general pattern of standardization common to each of the materials.
• Each specification includes information on other applicable specifications.
• Each specification includes information on preparation for delivery with instructions concerning packaging, instructions for use, and marking with a lot of numbers and dates of manufacturers.
• Each specification includes notes that provide additional information on intended uses and references to special items.

Introduction To Dental Materials

Aims of Dental Materials:

• To present the basic chemical and physical properties of dental materials.
• To provide sound educational background so that the practice of dentistry emerges from an art into an empirical status of science as more information through further research becomes available.
• Intended to bridge the gap between knowledge obtained in basic courses in material science, chemistry, physics, and dental operatory
• To generate curiosity as to why materials react as they do, why manipulation variables should be observed, and how information is largely limited to material per se and to make the profession an exciting experience?
• To provide the dentist with certain criteria of selection that will enable him to discriminate between fact and propaganda with regard to claims of manufacturers.

Scope of Dental Materials:

There is scarcely a dental procedure that does not make use of dental materials, so dental materials are used in every branch of dentistry.

Following is the scope of dental materials:

• Prosthodontics: In prosthodontics, the dental materials used are impression materials, waxes, prosthetic appliances materials including the base metal, precious and low precious alloys, denture base materials, crown and bridge veneer, implants, and mouth protectors.
• Endodontics: In this dental materials used are pulp paste, root canal filling materials, sealants, and cements.
• Periodontics: Materials used are periodontal packs and periodontal dressings.
• Orthodontics: In orthodontics, materials used are metal and alloys, resin materials.

Materials For Direct Restorations

The following are the characteristic of ideal dental material:

• ideal Dental Material should be biocompatible
• ideal Dental Material should be mechanically stable and durable
• ideal Dental Material should be resistant to corrosion or chemicals
• ideal Dental Material should be dimensionally stable
• ideal Dental Material  should be minimally conductive both thermally and electrically
• ideal Dental Material should be aesthetic
• ideal Dental Material  should be easy to manipulate
• ideal Dental Material should be adherent to tissues
• ideal Dental Material  should be tasteless and odorless
• ideal Dental Material should be cleanable or repairable
• ideal Dental Material should be cost-effective.