Liners and bases are materials placed between dentin (and sometimes pulp) and the restoration to provide

pulpal protection or pulpal response.

Terminology
Liners are relatively thin layers of material used primarily to provide a barrier to protect the dentin from residual reactants diffusing out of a restoration or from oral fluids( or both) that may penetrate leaky tooth-restoration interfaces. They also contribute initial electrical insulation, generate some thermal protection, and in some formulations, provide pulpal treatment.

Liners are formulated to provide pulpal medication whenever possible. Two important aspects of pulpal medication are the relief of pulpal inflammation and facilitation of dentinal bridging for physiological protection. The materials (Eugenol and Calcium hydroxide) most commonly used to provide these two functions are not mutually compatible and cannot be used in the same formulation .Eugenol is used to relief discomfort resulting from mild-to-moderate pulpal inflammation.

Bases are used to provide thermal protection for the pulp and to supplement mechanical support for the restoration by distributing local stresses from the restoration across the underlying dentin surface

Types of Liners
Varnish (Copal Resin Varnish ) Calcium Hydroxide (VLC Dycal) Traditional GI (Fuji Lining LC) Reinforced ZOE (IRM)

Types of Bases
Zinc Phosphate Cement Polycaboxylate Cement Glass ionomer Cement Resin Modified Glass ionomer

Clinical Management
Clinical judgments about the need for specific liners and bases are linked to the amount of remaining dentin thickness(RDT), considerations of adhesive materials, and the type of restorative material being used.

In a shallow tooth excavation (which includes >105-2mm of RDT), there is no need for pulpal protection other than in terms of chemical protection. A sealer ( GLUMA )for amalgams and bonding system for composites provide chemical protection.

In a moderate deep tooth excavation for amalgam that includes some extension of the preparation toward the pulp so that a region includes less than ideal dentin protection, it may be judicious to apply a liner only at that site using ZOE or calcium hydroxide. In a composite tooth preparation, in contact indicated. If the RDT is very small or if pulp exposure is a potential problem, calcium hydroxide is used to stimulate reparative dentin for any restorative material.

If extensive dentin is lost because of caries, and the tooth excavation extends close to the pulp, a cement base should be applied over to the already placed calcium hydroxide liner.