Which material is an example of reinforced ZOE used for temporary restorations?

• A. IRM (Intermediate Restorative Material)
• B. Zinc oxide cement
• C. Glass ionomer cement
• D. Composite resin

Answer: (A)

Reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol materials are designed to be stronger than plain ZOE so they can serve as durable temporary restorations while still providing the soothing effect of eugenol. Intermediate Restorative Material is the classic reinforced ZOE used for this purpose. It blends zinc oxide with eugenol and includes a reinforcing component to boost strength and resistance to fracture, making it suitable for temporary fillings, bases, and provisional crowns that need to stay in place for a short period and be removable later.

Zinc oxide cement without reinforcement lacks the added strength, so it isn’t as suitable for temporary restorations under functional loads. Glass ionomer cement and composite resin are different types of materials with distinct properties and use cases, not reinforced ZOE.