3M Unitek Multi-Cure Glass Ionomer Band Cement
A multi-cure glass ionomer cement for bonding orthodontic bands, filling the space between the band and tooth surface to reduce washout.
3M Unitek Multi-Cure Glass Ionomer Band Cement is used by orthodontists to cement orthodontic bands onto molars and other banded teeth as part of fixed appliance therapy. The cement is described as multi-cure, giving the clinician a flexible set mechanism, and is compatible with regular, etched or enhanced orthodontic bands, making it usable across different band preparation techniques already in use in a practice.
Once seated, the cement fills the small voids between the anatomy of the tooth surface and the inner aspect of the band, which helps reduce washout of the cement over the lifespan of the band while it remains in the mouth during treatment. Reducing washout matters clinically because a band that loosens partway through treatment can allow decalcification or decay to develop underneath it, so a reliable band cement is an important part of maintaining anchorage throughout a course of orthodontic treatment.
Practices that place bands regularly, whether for molar anchorage, space maintainers or other banded appliances, typically keep a glass ionomer band cement like this one as a standard stock item alongside their bracket bonding adhesives.
