- Polycarboxylate cement is widely used in restorative dentistry due to its biocompatibility and adhesive properties to both enamel and dentin.
- However, its clinical application is somewhat limited by certain mechanical properties.

- The primary limitation of polycarboxylate cement is its low compressive strength.
- This means that while it bonds well and is gentle to pulp tissue, it is not suitable for areas of the tooth that are subjected to high occlusal forces or require durable structural support.
- Its compressive strength is lower compared to other cements like glass ionomer or resin-modified glass ionomer cements, making it less ideal for load-bearing restorations.

Other options such as high solubility in oral fluids or excessive fluoride release are more characteristic of glass ionomer cements, while strong cytotoxicity to pulp tissue is not a concern with polycarboxylate cement because it is known for its pulp-friendly nature.

In summary, the key limitation is the low compressive strength, which restricts the use of polycarboxylate cement primarily to provisional or low-stress restorations.

Reference: Stevenson's Restorative Dentistry, Volume 2, Chapter 7, Page 245