Here is a fact sheet I put together at one point from AI. Disclaimer: This is not official. You must verify everything before use. Also, please note that at the bottom that many dentists use an acrylate film while the filling cures. Don't let them do that!

TEMPORARY CEMENT alternatives

Zinc Oxide-Non-Eugenol (ZONE) Cements

These cements are often preferred because they do not interfere with the final setting of permanent resin-based cements.

• Kerr
  • ZONEfree (Translucent Zinc Oxide, Non-Eugenol)
  • Temp-Bond NE (Non-Eugenol)
• VOCO
  • Provicol QM (Zinc Oxide, Non-Eugenol, often contains Calcium Hydroxide)
• GC America
  • GC Freegenol (Non-Eugenol, Zinc Oxide-based)
• Cosmedent
  • Adhere (Eugenol-free, Zinc Oxide-based)
• Temrex
  • TNE (Temrex Non-Eugenol)

PERMANENT CEMENT alternatives

Zinc Phosphate Cements (Traditional Luting)

This is the oldest type of dental cement, known for high strength and longevity, but it requires mechanical retention in the preparation as it does not chemically bond to the tooth structure.^(1)

Zinc Polycarboxylate Cements

These cements chemically bond to the tooth structure (dentin and enamel) and are generally kinder to the pulp than zinc phosphate.

Conventional Glass Ionomer Cements (GIC)

GIC chemically bonds to the tooth and releases fluoride, which is a major advantage. Crucially, the conventional (or traditional) GICs are acrylate-free, while Resin-Modified GICs (RMGICs) contain acrylates.They are more brittle than composite, so they aren't ideal for large cavities on the chewing surfaces of back molars.

1. Filling & Restorative Materials

These are thick, packable materials used to fill cavities. They chemically set on their own within a few minutes and do not use a blue dental curing light to harden.

• GC Fuji IX GP (The absolute industry standard for a packable conventional GIC filling) PureLife Dental
  • GC Fuji IX GP EXTRA or Fuji IX GP FAST * GC Fuji II  (Fuji II LC is the resin-modified version and must be avoided)
  • GC Fuji TRIAGE (Often used as a pink or white protective sealant or temporary filling; 100% self-curing)
• 3M ESPE (Ketac Line):
  • Ketac™ Molar or Ketac™ Molar Quick (A highly durable, bulk-fill conventional glass ionomer)
  • Ketac™ Universal (A hand-mix, chemical-cure conventional GIC)
  • Ketac™ Fil Plus * VOCO:
  • IonoStar® Molar or IonoStar® Plus (Fast-setting, immediately packable conventional glass ionomers)
  • Ionofil Molar AC
• SDI:
  • Riva Self Cure (SC) or Riva Self Cure HV (High Viscosity). Note: You must explicitly avoid "Riva Light Cure."

2. Luting Cements (For Gluing Crowns, Inlays, or Gold)

Must use a conventional GIC cement. These flow smoothly and self-harden via a pure mineral acid-base reaction.

• GC Fuji I® (The gold standard for a self-cured, traditional glass ionomer luting cement)
• 3M Ketac™ Cem or Ketac™ Cem Radiopaque * SDI Riva Luting (The pure chemical-cure version; avoid Riva Luting Plus, which contains resins)
• Dentsply AquaCem (A traditional chemical-setting luting cement mixed with water) Hospital Store

3. The Protective Glaze for fillings

After a dentist places a conventional glass ionomer filling, it is highly sensitive to moisture for the first few minutes. Standard practice is to wipe a clear, liquid plastic glaze over it and light-cure it to protect it while it fully hardens. These glazes are almost pure acrylate resins. Your dentist must skip the plastic glaze completely and instead use a simple sterile petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) or a mineral wax to protect the filling while it finishes setting.

I have a lot of symptoms of ENS, score of 14, but it's only on the right side and I had no problems until a few months ago. I had a deviated septum corrected and turbinate reduction 40 years ago. Is it possible to have ENS with the surgery so many years ago?

I recently became an empty-nester after almost 30 years of being a SAHM. One of my biggest challenges, not having relatives nearby for babysitting, was getting to doctor and dental appointments. I did have to bring the kids sometimes, esp. to physical therapy appointments. My husband worked long hours and was often out of town. I really didn't get much flack from any of the staff (even if I sometimes got side eye) as the kids never caused any problems. But that was many years ago and now I am noticing more and more on my patient portals that say if you bring kids the appointment will be cancelled. How do today's stay at home parents handle appointments if they don't have a support network and their spouse can't take off work for every appointment?

I get three shots each visit: two shots (pollens and such) on my right arm without much reaction one shot for dust on my left arm. My left arm always had such a bad reaction that the allergist said we will only go up to half the normal maintenance dose and just stop there. So I've been on that dose for a few months, getting my shots every 2-3 weeks. The red area lasts about 3 days. It's itchy for about 24 hours, and hot/swollen for about 2 days. I take an antihistamine before my shot (either Claritin or Allegra) and the nurse puts a cortizone cream on. None of this seems to help. I told my allergist and he kind of shrugs and leaves it up to me if I want to continue to get the dust shot. To be honest, I don't know if the dust shots are helping or not. For those who get shots, what has been your experience with localized reactions?

I got a new mini/dorm fridge and it's been running for a few days and keeping things cold but the condenser in the back is really hot to the touch. I am worried it's too hot. I touched a meat thermometer to it just to get an idea of how hot and it reads 137 F. Is this okay or should I turn it off and return it to Home Depot?

I am in my early 60's, normal weight, female. I generally eat pretty healthy and get about 45 minutes of exercise each day. However, I do have a pretty big "meno belly" despite skinny arms and legs. For my annual well check my doctor tests for fasting blood glucose (last year it was 99) but never anything else related to diabetes even though I have a sibling with life-long Type 1 diabetes and a mother who had Type 2 in her later years. I guess the worse he can say is no so it doesn't hurt to ask but I am wondering why he's never tested anything else. I wonder if there is a problem with insurance coverage.

EDIT: OK, at Thursday appointment I will definitely ask. We update with his response afterwards. He is a pretty lax doc. He even said last time I don't need a well check every year!

I haven't had surgery but I have symptoms of sinusitis affecting only right maxillary sinus. Heavy white mucus draining down that side and molars hurt. Root canals didn't resolve it. CT scan is normal (sinuses open). Three antibiotics and two course of steroids did nothing so probably not an infection. Weirdest thing is the dry, irritated turbinates on only the right side. Air from just breathing stings and dries out my throat and vocal cords. My left side is normal. Can ENS only effect one side? The ENT and dentist are out of ideas. However, the scope showed the ENT inflammation in the right side turbinates. I do have environmental allergies but when they kick up the symptoms are different (runny nose, both sides of nose and sinuses effected). The closest analogy is at the very end of a cold or sinus infection when your nose is no longer running but you have thick mucus draining down the back and the turbinates are inflamed. I can't blow anything out of my nose which feel sdry. The drying of my throat as a result has caused laryngitis. This has been going on since May and it's now August.

Since late May I've had heavy post nasal drip and tooth pain in my right maxillary sinus. The tooth pain was so bad the endontist redid a root canal thinking that was the problem (although her CT scan didn't show any infection). After that the tooth pain was only slightly better but the sinus infection got worse. Constant drainage of heavy sticky mucus just from the right side. Still some pain and hot/cold sensitivity in upper molars. I am hoarse from clearing my throat for 3 months and sometimes lose my voice so I don't talk much.

I've done nasal sprays of all kinds, nasal irrigation, antihistamines, 3 courses of antibiotics, 2 courses of steroids, a CT scan, and now I am scheduled for an MRI with contrast but the doctor doesn't think it will show anything. The CT scan was normal other than a tiny retention cyst and he said that's not causing the problem. Since that's the only thing that showed up and it's in the right maxillary sinus, I asked him if he could remove it. He said insurance wouldn't pay for surgery since it is not causing my problems. If the MRI is negative he is basically out of ideas.

What would be my next step to find out what is causing my symptoms? Should I see an oral surgeon or a different ENT?

Is it just me or does it seem it to take longer every year from the time you order a piece of clothing to the time it arrives (unless you pay extra for faster). Even Amazon Prime, half the time the delivery is delayed a day or two longer than originally stated. I remember years ago getting things from some places in a few days. Now everything seems to take a couple weeks. By that time you don't even need it anymore.

My decades-old Tupperware nesting bowls have bit the dust so great time to swap out for something non-plastic. I bought a large glass covered mixing bowl but it's just too heavy. Ceramic is also too heavy. I hate stainless steel. Silicone absorbs food odors. I've narrowed it down to two things: enamel-covered steel and porcelain (genuine porcelain is lighter than ceramic). I am not going to get too picky here with lids so willing to go with plastic or silicone lids. Does anyone have covered bowls made of these materials and if so, where did you get them? I need to be able to make batter in them, store salads and produce, and be dishwasher safe. Doesn't need to be microwave safe. TIA!

EDIT: Poster below suggested Corelle and on their website they have some larger bowls. It's weird I didn't think of this because I use their dinnerware which I just got at a big box store. I didn't know they made anything else. Thanks everyone!

I was at a dinner dance when I was in my 50's and an older woman, probably 70's, who was wearing spike heels, fell while dancing, and broke something because she couldn't walk. I made a note to myself to put away the heels before something like that happened to me. I am in my early 60's now and I only own flats. Part of it is safety and part of it is comfort due to several foot issues. I don't really miss the heels and I wonder why I ever wore them in the first place.

I basically retired at the same time my kids fledged but my husband is still working for a couple more years. I homeschooled for 15 years so those were intense and exhausting years. Now everyone tells me, enjoy life, do hobbies, focus on myself for a change. At first it was kind of liberating with hobbies, exercise, volunteering for causes I believe in, socializing, etc. It was great to be with adults again. But after a few years of this, it is getting old. It all feels strangely self-centered and unfulfilling, including the volunteer work. If only there were grandkids to watch but that's years away and I might not live long enough.

How do other parents feel about retirement at the same time as becoming empty-nesters? Are you relishing the time you have to yourself or do you still yearn for the old days when you were going a million miles a minute but feeling fulfilled?

I've had sinusitis for 6 weeks. Two antibiotics and course of steroids and nothing is better. I've tried the squirt bottle rinse but the water goes in one nostril and out the other. The infection is in the right maxillary sinus (causing molar pain) but the rinse doesn't get in there. Why is it called a sinus rinse when it's just a nasal rinse?

I'm the mom of two highly allergic young singles. We've noticed that pets have become very important to people in today's society (I mean cats and dogs). Despite allergy shots and antihistamines my kids will never be able to live with any type of mammal. It's hard enough to find a practicing Catholic in the same area let alone someone who is willing to give up or forgo a cat or dog. This has been a big obstacle in dating. I am sure there are other health deal-breakers that singles deal with and I wonder how and when they bring it up when dating. If you are on the apps, do you disclose it on your profile and irl when do you bring it up dating? Like on a first date would you even say something like, "I am allergic to all dogs and cats" or "I am infertile" or "I have MS"?

I am not that tall but I have a long torso and it's been near impossible for me to find tops in cotton or linen which is all I buy. I have to account for shrinkage. The bare minimum length for me before washing for a top is 26". Gap and Old Navy Tall tops aren't even long enough. I just bought the new "heavyweight" cotton tee at Old Navy in a Tall Medium and after washing it barely covers the top of my high rise pants. Not even described as a crop top! Shopping was a lot easier before the crop top trend which doesn't seem to want to end.

I am not talking about suits or formal gowns but just your everyday clothes. I always look for washing instructions before I buy and I am surprised at how many items say "dry clean only." I don't have the money or time for dry cleaning, plus I don't want the toxicity of the chemicals on my clothes. But also, seems like a red flag for low quality if it's so delicate I can't wash it.

EDIT: For those of you who said the "dry clean only" means better quality, not worse quality: Yes, that's true for expensive clothing, but not for affordable clothing. I am older and I remember when you could buy great quality cashmere sweaters that were washable. They were thick and they didn't pill and they weren't crazy expensive. I have a Lands' End cashmere sweater frpm 25 years ago that I've washed many times i(n the washer no less) and it's still going strong. Now I notice many cashmere sweaters at my price point say to dry clean. Recently I got a new affordable cashmere sweater and it was much thinner, shrunk after washing and pilled quickly. It said I could hand wash or dry clean but I guess I should have dry cleaned. I ended up donating it.

My husband and I hadn't gone to a wedding in over 20 years. Now our young adult kids' friends are getting married and so we went to a wedding where my son was a groomsman last week. Everything at the reception was different from the traditions I remember. Some I liked, most I didn't. A friend had a similar experience at her first wedding in years also.

1. Instead of groomsmen and bridesmaids sitting at the head table in a boy-girl-boy-girl pattern, at this wedding it was all groomsmen on one side and all bridesmaids on the other. The groomsmen danced as a group and the bridesmaids danced as a group, not much intermingling. They did not partner up to dance. (neutral)

2. No father dancing with the bride or mother dancing with the groom (neutral)

3. No bouquet toss (neutral)

4. Guests got a tiny piece of sheet cake, not a piece of the wedding cake (wasn't much of a dessert).

5. Lots of speeches, not just the Best Man speech (too long and we were hungry)

6. When groom asked my son to be groomsman he brought him a gift; same with bride and potential bridesmaids. (seems like a way to apply pressure)

7. Groomsmen had to buy a suit instead of rent a tux. (too expensive)

8. No receiving line (yay)

9. Rap music (undanceable)

10. Your "plus one" could be anyone, not just a spouse or date. (yay, a couple brothers came together)

I am older and happily married but joined this sub because I have two young adult single sons. I didn't realize that while trying to understand the current dating scene (so different than when I was single) I am realizing I can apply some of the info I read here to my new life, post-kids. After homeschooling and being in the kid world for so long, I need to develop an adult friend network and making friends at my age is HARD. I am not old enough for the senior citizen groups at parishes but I do meet people through volunteer work and hobbies. So I just want to thank everyone for all their tips and advice on how to approach making new friends. (I've also been known to give some dating advice based on older dating models).