, Chapter 22 General Rules for Handling
CONTEXT Dental Materials
Part I Theoretical Perspectives Part II Laboratory and Clinical
Chapter 1 Introduction Applications
Chapter 2 Materials Science and Chapter 23 Mixing Liners, Bases, and
Dentistry Cements
Chapter 3 Physical and Mechanical Chapter 24 Application and Removal
Properties of Dental Materials of the Rubber Dam
Chapter 4 Adhesive Materials Chapter 25 Pit and Fissure Sealants
Chapter 5 Direct Polymeric Restorative Chapter 26 Amalgam Placement,
Materials Carving, Finishing, and Polishing
Chapter 6 Amalgam Chapter 27 Taking Alginate
Impressions
Chapter 7 Dental Cements
Chapter 28 Fabrication and Trimming
Chapter 8 Impression Materials of Study Models
Chapter 9 Gypsum Materials Chapter 29 Fabrication of a Custom
Impression Tray
Chapter 10 Materials for Fixed
Indirect Restorations and Prostheses Chapter 30 Elastomeric Impressions
Chapter 11 Removable Prostheses and Chapter 31 Vital Tooth Whitening
Acrylic Resins Procedures
Chapter 12 Dental Implants Chapter 32 Debonding Orthodontic
Resins
Chapter 13 Specialty Materials
Chapter 33 Placement of the
Chapter 14 Clinical Detection and
Periodontal Dressing
Management of Dental Restorative
Materials during Scaling and Polishing Chapter 34 Removal of the Periodontal
Dressing and Sutures
Chapter 15 Radiographic Appearance
of Dental Tissues and Materials Chapter 35 Temporary Crowns
Chapter 16 Polishing Materials and Chapter 36 Composite Finishing and
Abrasion Polishing
Chapter 17 Tooth Whitening Chapter 37 Tips for the New Hygienist
Chapter 18 Oral Appliances
Chapter 19 Instruments as Dental
Materials-Care and Maintenance
Chapter 20 Infection Control and
Safety in the Dental Office
Chapter 21 Disinfection of Impressions,
Dentures, and Other Appliances and
Materials
,Chapter 1 — Introduction
Multiple-choice questions (aligned to the book chapter 1). Each question
has four options (A–D). The correct answer is shown only as Answer: X. A
deep rationale and key words follow each question.
1. Question: Which single reason most directly explains why an in-depth
knowledge of dental materials is essential for clinical decision-
making?
A. To be able to explain the chemical composition of every material to
patients.
B. To predict how a chosen material will interact with the oral
environment and the patient’s biology over time.
C. To reduce the chair time required for every procedure regardless
of material selected.
D. To enable the clinician to manufacture materials in the office.
Answer: B
Rationale: Clinical decision-making requires predicting performance
(longevity, wear, corrosion, biocompatibility) in the unique oral
environment (saliva, pH, occlusion, parafunction, hygiene). This
predictive capability guides selection, handling, maintenance and
patient counseling. Explaining chemistry (A) is useful but not the
, primary clinical driver; chair time (C) and in-office manufacturing (D)
are secondary or unrealistic as universal goals.
Key words: material selection, oral environment, biocompatibility,
clinical prediction
2. Question: A dental hygienist is asked to recommend a restorative
approach for a patient with heavy occlusal wear and poor oral
hygiene. Which factor should weigh most heavily in the hygienist’s
recommendation?
A. The material’s marketed aesthetic superiority.
B. The material’s resistance to wear and tolerance of a contaminated
clinical field.
C. How fast the manufacturer advertises the material sets.
D. The color availability of the material.
Answer: B
Rationale: For patients with heavy wear and poor hygiene, durability
and resistance to a non-ideal clinical environment (moisture
tolerance, reduced technique sensitivity) directly affect clinical
success. Aesthetics and color (A, D) are secondary in this high-stress
situation; marketing speed (C) does not reflect long-term
performance.
Key words: wear resistance, technique sensitivity, patient factors,
clinical tolerance
,3. Question: Which statement best describes the professional role of the
dental hygienist regarding dental materials selection?
A. Hygienists may independently prescribe definitive restorative
materials for fixed prostheses.
B. Hygienists have a collaborative role: recognizing material-related
issues, advising on maintenance, and communicating material
implications to the dentist and patient.
C. Hygienists are only responsible for polishing and therefore have no
role in selection or maintenance.
D. Hygienists must follow only the manufacturer’s directions and
never question a dentist’s material choice.
Answer: B
Rationale: Hygienists are integral to patient care—detecting
restoration problems, performing appropriate maintenance
(scaling/polishing) and educating patients about care and material
limitations. They collaborate with dentists rather than independently
prescribing definitive restorations (A), and they must exercise clinical
judgment rather than blindly follow directions (C, D).
Key words: interdisciplinary care, detection, patient education,
maintenance
4. Question: From an evidence-based practice standpoint, which source
should carry the greatest weight when choosing a new dental
material for routine clinical use?
A. Manufacturer white paper summarizing internal tests.
, B. Single non-randomized clinical case series.
C. Independent systematic review/meta-analysis of randomized
clinical trials.
D. Popular professional social-media endorsements.
Answer: C
Rationale: Systematic reviews/meta-analyses of randomized trials
synthesize high-quality evidence and help control bias—these are the
strongest level for informing practice. Manufacturer materials (A),
case series (B), and social media (D) are prone to bias and lower
evidence strength.
Key words: evidence hierarchy, systematic review, bias, clinical trials
5. Question: A clinic is considering switching to an alternative luting
cement that claims better adhesion. Which practice-level
consideration is most critical before adoption?
A. The aesthetics of the product packaging.
B. Compatibility with existing restorative materials, staff training
needs, and long-term clinical evidence.
C. The vendor’s proximity to the clinic.
D. The material’s popularity on clinician forums.
Answer: B
Rationale: Compatibility (e.g., resin cement vs existing restorative
surfaces), required technique changes, staff competency, and robust
clinical data are essential for safe, effective adoption. Packaging
aesthetics (A), vendor location (C), and popularity (D) are irrelevant
CONTEXT Dental Materials
Part I Theoretical Perspectives Part II Laboratory and Clinical
Chapter 1 Introduction Applications
Chapter 2 Materials Science and Chapter 23 Mixing Liners, Bases, and
Dentistry Cements
Chapter 3 Physical and Mechanical Chapter 24 Application and Removal
Properties of Dental Materials of the Rubber Dam
Chapter 4 Adhesive Materials Chapter 25 Pit and Fissure Sealants
Chapter 5 Direct Polymeric Restorative Chapter 26 Amalgam Placement,
Materials Carving, Finishing, and Polishing
Chapter 6 Amalgam Chapter 27 Taking Alginate
Impressions
Chapter 7 Dental Cements
Chapter 28 Fabrication and Trimming
Chapter 8 Impression Materials of Study Models
Chapter 9 Gypsum Materials Chapter 29 Fabrication of a Custom
Impression Tray
Chapter 10 Materials for Fixed
Indirect Restorations and Prostheses Chapter 30 Elastomeric Impressions
Chapter 11 Removable Prostheses and Chapter 31 Vital Tooth Whitening
Acrylic Resins Procedures
Chapter 12 Dental Implants Chapter 32 Debonding Orthodontic
Resins
Chapter 13 Specialty Materials
Chapter 33 Placement of the
Chapter 14 Clinical Detection and
Periodontal Dressing
Management of Dental Restorative
Materials during Scaling and Polishing Chapter 34 Removal of the Periodontal
Dressing and Sutures
Chapter 15 Radiographic Appearance
of Dental Tissues and Materials Chapter 35 Temporary Crowns
Chapter 16 Polishing Materials and Chapter 36 Composite Finishing and
Abrasion Polishing
Chapter 17 Tooth Whitening Chapter 37 Tips for the New Hygienist
Chapter 18 Oral Appliances
Chapter 19 Instruments as Dental
Materials-Care and Maintenance
Chapter 20 Infection Control and
Safety in the Dental Office
Chapter 21 Disinfection of Impressions,
Dentures, and Other Appliances and
Materials
,Chapter 1 — Introduction
Multiple-choice questions (aligned to the book chapter 1). Each question
has four options (A–D). The correct answer is shown only as Answer: X. A
deep rationale and key words follow each question.
1. Question: Which single reason most directly explains why an in-depth
knowledge of dental materials is essential for clinical decision-
making?
A. To be able to explain the chemical composition of every material to
patients.
B. To predict how a chosen material will interact with the oral
environment and the patient’s biology over time.
C. To reduce the chair time required for every procedure regardless
of material selected.
D. To enable the clinician to manufacture materials in the office.
Answer: B
Rationale: Clinical decision-making requires predicting performance
(longevity, wear, corrosion, biocompatibility) in the unique oral
environment (saliva, pH, occlusion, parafunction, hygiene). This
predictive capability guides selection, handling, maintenance and
patient counseling. Explaining chemistry (A) is useful but not the
, primary clinical driver; chair time (C) and in-office manufacturing (D)
are secondary or unrealistic as universal goals.
Key words: material selection, oral environment, biocompatibility,
clinical prediction
2. Question: A dental hygienist is asked to recommend a restorative
approach for a patient with heavy occlusal wear and poor oral
hygiene. Which factor should weigh most heavily in the hygienist’s
recommendation?
A. The material’s marketed aesthetic superiority.
B. The material’s resistance to wear and tolerance of a contaminated
clinical field.
C. How fast the manufacturer advertises the material sets.
D. The color availability of the material.
Answer: B
Rationale: For patients with heavy wear and poor hygiene, durability
and resistance to a non-ideal clinical environment (moisture
tolerance, reduced technique sensitivity) directly affect clinical
success. Aesthetics and color (A, D) are secondary in this high-stress
situation; marketing speed (C) does not reflect long-term
performance.
Key words: wear resistance, technique sensitivity, patient factors,
clinical tolerance
,3. Question: Which statement best describes the professional role of the
dental hygienist regarding dental materials selection?
A. Hygienists may independently prescribe definitive restorative
materials for fixed prostheses.
B. Hygienists have a collaborative role: recognizing material-related
issues, advising on maintenance, and communicating material
implications to the dentist and patient.
C. Hygienists are only responsible for polishing and therefore have no
role in selection or maintenance.
D. Hygienists must follow only the manufacturer’s directions and
never question a dentist’s material choice.
Answer: B
Rationale: Hygienists are integral to patient care—detecting
restoration problems, performing appropriate maintenance
(scaling/polishing) and educating patients about care and material
limitations. They collaborate with dentists rather than independently
prescribing definitive restorations (A), and they must exercise clinical
judgment rather than blindly follow directions (C, D).
Key words: interdisciplinary care, detection, patient education,
maintenance
4. Question: From an evidence-based practice standpoint, which source
should carry the greatest weight when choosing a new dental
material for routine clinical use?
A. Manufacturer white paper summarizing internal tests.
, B. Single non-randomized clinical case series.
C. Independent systematic review/meta-analysis of randomized
clinical trials.
D. Popular professional social-media endorsements.
Answer: C
Rationale: Systematic reviews/meta-analyses of randomized trials
synthesize high-quality evidence and help control bias—these are the
strongest level for informing practice. Manufacturer materials (A),
case series (B), and social media (D) are prone to bias and lower
evidence strength.
Key words: evidence hierarchy, systematic review, bias, clinical trials
5. Question: A clinic is considering switching to an alternative luting
cement that claims better adhesion. Which practice-level
consideration is most critical before adoption?
A. The aesthetics of the product packaging.
B. Compatibility with existing restorative materials, staff training
needs, and long-term clinical evidence.
C. The vendor’s proximity to the clinic.
D. The material’s popularity on clinician forums.
Answer: B
Rationale: Compatibility (e.g., resin cement vs existing restorative
surfaces), required technique changes, staff competency, and robust
clinical data are essential for safe, effective adoption. Packaging
aesthetics (A), vendor location (C), and popularity (D) are irrelevant
