National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the National Dental Assisting Exam with comprehensive quiz questions, including multiple choice and detailed explanations. Equip yourself for success!

Start Multiple Choice Practice Test
Start Flash Cards

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

When mixing zinc phosphate cement, a cool, dry slab will _______ the setting time.

  1. Increase

  2. Decrease

  3. Maintain

  4. Vary

The correct answer is: Decrease

When mixing zinc phosphate cement, using a cool, dry slab will decrease the setting time. The temperature of the mixing surface impacts the exothermic reaction that occurs as the cement sets. A cooler slab helps to dissipate heat more quickly, thus leading to a faster setting process. Conversely, a warmer slab would allow heat to accumulate around the materials, potentially prolonging the setting time as the reaction is slowed down. Therefore, the combination of a cool surface and a dry environment collectively contributes to a reduction in the overall time it takes for the cement to set effectively.

More Questions Like This