CemPower™: Bonding to Zirconia for Worry-Free Restorations
While William J. Moorhead, DMD, has served the same Flemingsburg, Kentucky, community in private practice for more than four decades, his patients may be the only thing that has stayed the same during that time.
"I cannot think of a single procedure I still do the way I was taught when I graduated from dental school," says the University of Louisville School of Dentistry graduate. "One of the thrilling things about dentistry is the continual learning and improving."
Among those improvements has been the progression of restorative materials, such as zirconia. With its esthetic qualities and durability, the ceramic material has increased in usage in dentistry during Moorhead's career. Zirconia is now used for a wide range of cosmetic treatments, crowns, veneers, bridges, dentures, and more.
"As part of my professional obligation to patients, I keep up on the latest developments in dentistry through my memberships in professional organizations. I'm able to meet with other professionals and share advancements in effective ways to achieve a healthy smile," says Moorhead, who teaches seminars on streamlining dental practices and co-teaches a program on moderate IV sedation.
When it comes to bonding to zirconia, Moorhead is an advocate of CemPower™ from Essential Dental Systems (EDS). CemPower is a self-etch, self-adhesive, dual-cured resin cement ideal for restorations made of zirconium oxide, lithium disilicate, and other metal-ceramics, according to the manufacturer. It is also used for cementation of high-strength restoratives on implant abutments.
"I switched to CemPower because it bonds to zirconium," Moorhead states emphatically. "This is a product that has been needed for some time. It is as easy to use as any resin-based cement. It is especially easy to remove excess cement in the gel phase before final set."
CemPower, Moorhead notes, offers precise handling while utilizing latest-generation adhesive monomers to establish a superior bond with substrates and provide lasting adhesion. This gives him confidence that patients won't encounter problems after leaving the treatment appointment.
"I am using CemPower to cement all-ceramic crowns after using Prelude SE + Link (Zest Dental Solutions) to hybridize the dentin," Moorhead says. "I use bonding for all crown cementations."
Not only has CemPower been effective for bonding to zirconia, but it also has impacted efficiency in Moorhead's practice. "Before CemPower, I occasionally had a zirconia crown dislodge, and the interface that failed was always the cement to the crown," he says. "CemPower saves having to re-cement the crown. There's also the possibility of a crown that is lost, so CemPower can potentially save remakes as well."
With enhanced bond strength, good moisture tolerance, effortless excess removal, a proprietary blend of bis-GMA-free monomers, and excellent biocompatibility, Moorhead is delighted that CemPower is now an integral part of his restorative workflow. "Bonding to zirconium-yay!" he exclaims.
William J. Moorhead, DMD
Private Practice, Flemingsburg, Kentucky; Founder, Owner, The Streamlined Practice LLC
Essential Dental Systems
201-487-9090
edsdental.com
