IRM Dental Material and AH Plus Sealer: Temporary Fillings, Bases and Root Canal Sealers Explained

IRM dental material is a reinforced zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) cement used for intermediate, or temporary, restorations and as a base, while AH Plus is an epoxy resin sealer used to fill the root canal during obturation. Chase Dental Supply carries both, along with the reinforced ZOE alternative Base-Fil from MARK3 and the IRM kit and AH Plus sealer from Dentsply Sirona.

This guide explains what each material does, when ZOE is the wrong choice, and which endo supplies round out the tray. It is written for general dentists, endodontists, pediatric and public health clinics, dental schools and the office managers who reorder for them.

Key Takeaways

• The Dentsply IRM Standard Kit #610007 contains 38 g of powder and 14 ml of liquid; Dentsply says the powder and liquid should be mixed in less than one minute to a putty consistency.
• MARK3 Base-Fil is a polymer reinforced ZOE cement (IRM type) in a 50 g powder and 15 ml liquid kit, listed at 37 MPa compressive strength.
• Eugenol can inhibit the polymerization of resin materials, so ZOE temporaries are generally avoided where a composite or resin cement will be bonded.
• AH Plus Root Canal Sealer is a paste A and paste B system (4 ml tubes plus a mixing pad) with epoxy amine resin chemistry.
• MARK3 luer lock irrigation syringes, notched needles, K-files and pulp vitality refrigerant cover the rest of a routine endo setup.

What Is IRM Dental Material?

IRM, short for Intermediate Restorative Material, is a reinforced zinc oxide eugenol composition for temporary restorations and bases. The reinforcement makes it stronger and more durable than plain ZOE, so it holds up longer as an interim filling.

Dentsply lists two main uses for IRM: temporary restorations and base material, with intermediate restorations lasting up to one year. Its listed applications include restoration of primary teeth when the permanent teeth are two years or less from eruption, restorative emergencies, caries management programs, dental school clinics and public health dental programs.

In endodontics, a reinforced ZOE is a common choice for sealing an access cavity between appointments. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use for powder to liquid ratio and placement.

Dentsply IRM Standard Kit

The Dentsply IRM Standard Kit #610007 includes 38 g of powder and 14 ml of liquid. Mix it in less than one minute, place the putty and use a matrix if the cavity calls for one. Our Tofflemire matrix band thickness guide helps you pick a band for Class II temporaries.

MARK3 Base-Fil Reinforced ZOE (IRM)

MARK3 Base-Fil Reinforced Z.O.E. Cement (IRM) is a polymer reinforced zinc oxide and eugenol material for temporary fillings or bases. MARK3 lists sedative qualities on hypersensitive pulp, abrasion resistance with good sealing, easy removal and 37 MPa compressive strength. The kit holds 50 g of powder and 15 ml of liquid.

When Should You Not Use IRM or Other ZOE Materials?

Avoid ZOE materials where a resin composite, resin cement or bonding agent will be placed against the same tooth structure. Eugenol can inhibit the polymerization of resin based materials, which can weaken the bond and the cure.

In practice, that means many clinicians skip a ZOE base under a composite and choose a eugenol free temporary when a bonded restoration is planned. Check each material’s instructions for use, since recommendations vary by product. If you cure composite daily, our TPC LED curing lights guide covers the light side of the process.

What Is AH Plus Sealer?

AH Plus is a root canal sealer: a two component paste and paste material with epoxy amine resin chemistry. It is used with a core material such as gutta percha to fill gaps and irregularities between the core and the canal wall.

AH Plus Root Canal Sealer comes as a 4 ml tube of Paste A, a 4 ml tube of Paste B and a mixing pad. Dentsply describes it as a sealer for any obturation technique. Because it is an epoxy resin sealer, AH Plus is not a zinc oxide eugenol material.

IRM vs Base-Fil vs AH Plus: What’s the Difference?

IRM and Base-Fil are interchangeable types of material (reinforced ZOE for the crown side), while AH Plus works inside the root canal. This table puts them side by side.

What Else Do You Need for a Root Canal Setup?

Beyond the sealer and the temporary, a routine endo appointment uses a pulp vitality test, irrigation and hand files. MARK3 and Premier Dental cover these disposables.

Pulp vitality testing

MARK3 Endo Pulp Vitality Refrigerant Spray comes in a 6 oz bottle for cold sensitivity testing. MARK3 describes it as much colder than ice or ethyl chloride, for use with cotton pellets or micro applicators, with a directional nozzle.

Irrigation syringes, needles and kits

MARK3 luer lock irrigation products use 1 inch bendable, side vented, notched needle tips that are color coded by gauge and supplied non sterile. Syringes come as the 3cc Luer Lock Endo Irrigation Syringe 100/pk, the 6cc syringe 50/pk and the 12cc syringe 100/pk.

Needles are sold by the box of 100: the 23ga blue hub, 27ga yellow hub and 30ga purple hub. For a ready pairing, the 27ga 3cc Irrigation Kit and 30ga 3cc Irrigation Kit combine syringe and tip.

Hand files

MARK3 K-Files are stainless steel files with a square cross section for negotiating and initially enlarging canals, sold 6 per pack in 21, 25 and 31 mm lengths, including the 21mm #15 to 40 6/pk and 25mm #15 to 40 6/pk. Premier Dental Hedstrom Files cut on the withdrawal stroke for more rapid canal enlargement and come with a premounted silicone stop. Offices running an ultrasonic endo unit can compare options in our TPC piezo scaler guide.

Provisionals after endo

When a tooth will need a crown after root canal therapy, a provisional crown often follows. MARK3 Temporary Crown and Bridge Material is a self curing 10:1 cartridge material in A1, A2 and A3 shades.

Which One Should You Choose?

Most practices that do endo stock one reinforced ZOE and one resin sealer. Choose by how you work.

• General practice: one IRM type kit for emergency temporaries and access seals, AH Plus for obturation, plus a eugenol free option for teeth headed for bonded restorations.
• Pediatric and public health clinics: Dentsply IRM or MARK3 Base-Fil, since Dentsply lists primary teeth near exfoliation and public health programs among its uses.
• Endodontists: AH Plus, irrigation kits in 27ga and 30ga, refrigerant spray and files in each length you use.
• Dental schools: IRM kits for clinic floors, plus K-file packs and 3cc irrigation kits by the box.

Shop the Products

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IRM in dentistry?

IRM stands for Intermediate Restorative Material, a reinforced zinc oxide eugenol cement. It is used for temporary restorations and as a base, and Dentsply describes its intermediate restorations as lasting up to one year.

Is MARK3 Base-Fil the same as IRM?

MARK3 Base-Fil is a polymer reinforced zinc oxide eugenol cement of the IRM type, used for temporary fillings or bases. It comes as 50 g of powder and 15 ml of liquid, compared with 38 g and 14 ml in the Dentsply IRM Standard Kit. Follow each product’s own instructions for mixing.

Can you use IRM under a composite filling?

ZOE materials such as IRM are generally avoided under composite, because eugenol can inhibit the polymerization of resin based materials. When a bonded restoration is planned, many clinicians choose a eugenol free temporary or base. Check the instructions for use of both materials.

What is AH Plus sealer used for?

AH Plus is a root canal sealer used with a core material such as gutta percha during obturation. It is a two paste epoxy amine resin material supplied as 4 ml tubes of Paste A and Paste B with a mixing pad.

Does AH Plus contain eugenol?

AH Plus is an epoxy resin sealer, not a zinc oxide eugenol material. For full composition and handling details, refer to the Dentsply Sirona instructions for use.

IRM dental material and AH Plus solve two different problems: a durable temporary seal on the crown side and a resin seal inside the canal. Chase Dental Supply carries both from Dentsply Sirona, plus Base-Fil, irrigation, files and refrigerant from MARK3. Questions about a reorder? Email sales@chasedentalsupply.com.