Peak™ Universal Bond a Versatile Performer for All Bonding Procedures
When asked to identify the benefits for clinicians in using Ultradent's Peak™ Universal Bond, Shea Bess, DDS, a long-time private practitioner in South Jordan, Utah, responds succinctly and directly: "Bond strength!"
"I have tested 20 different adhesives currently on the market," explains Bess, who besides being in full-time private practice since 2002 also lectures at dental schools and gives CE courses throughout the United States on restorative and cosmetic dentistry and has worked in research and development for Utah-based Ultradent Products, Inc. "Bond strengths to dentin and enamel vary greatly, far more than most dentists realize. When comparing bond strengths of dental adhesives, it is important for clinicians to compare bond strength in MPa [megapascals]."
When performing adhesive dentistry, Bess is a believer in the age-old adage: Do it right the first time. "Being current in knowledge and understanding of the best materials and correct techniques makes for decreased sensitivity in patients and reduces the need to redo work," he says. "If sensitivity and failing restorations are occurring regularly, it's time to take a long hard look at both the materials being used and the technique employed."
"You may have to dig to find the bond strength to enamel and dentin in MPa for a given adhesive," Bess admits. "Manufacturers may show graphs [or comparisons] of adhesives they slightly outperform, but you want to compare the number in MPa to more than just the adhesives they show for marketing purposes."
Peak Universal Bond, a light-cured adhesive with 0.2% chlorhexidine, can be used in all bonding procedures, including direct and indirect, as well as post-and-core procedures. "In my testing on an Instron® machine with human teeth embedded in acrylic, I have not found an adhesive that gets higher bond strengths to dentin and enamel than Peak Universal Bond," he states. "I encourage dentists to find the expected bond strengths from their chosen adhesive in MPa and compare them to Peak. They might find that they are achieving 30% of what can be attained simply by using a different product."
Bess suggests that bonding to dentin can last much longer and be much stronger than most dentists believe. "Enamel and dentin are ‘bonded' at the DEJ at 60-70 MPa. If nature is at 60-70 MPa, then adhesives that are in the 20 MPa range to dentin are poor performers. You can do better."
Bess acknowledges that while patients don't really know what adhesive is being used on their tooth, what they do know is whether or not they experience postoperative sensitivity. With Peak Universal Bond, he says, patients can expect decreased sensitivity and longer-lasting restorations. "Too many clinicians accept sensitivity complaints from patients as ‘normal,'" he says. But with a properly applied high-performance adhesive like Peak Universal Bond, he submits, this doesn't have to be.
Shea Bess, DDS
Private Practice,
South Jordan, Utah
Ultradent Products, Inc.
801-572-4200
ultradent.com
