ZOE Sedative Property — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyDental MaterialsZOE Sedative PropertyMFDS Part 1

Which property of conventional zinc oxide-eugenol cement most directly accounts for its traditional description as a sedative temporary restorative material?

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Correct answer: C — Anti-inflammatory and local anaesthetic effects on the dental pulp

The correct answer is C. Small amounts of eugenol released from zinc oxide-eugenol cement can diffuse through dentine. At low concentrations, eugenol has anti-inflammatory and local anaesthetic effects on the dental pulp, producing the traditional sedative or obtundent effect. This supports its use as a temporary restorative material, although direct contact with exposed pulp is potentially cytotoxic. Conventional ZOE has relatively low mechanical strength, so high compressive resistance is not its distinguishing property. It is neither highly aesthetic nor a fluoride-releasing material. It also does not chemically bond to resin composite, and residual eugenol may adversely affect polymerisation of some resin materials.

Reference: Markowitz K, Moynihan M, Liu M, Kim S. Biologic properties of eugenol and zinc oxide-eugenol: a clinically oriented review. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology. 1992;73(6):729–737. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1437045/