What to Look for in a Good Adhesive Product

Many methods are used for evaluating adhesive products, such as shear bond strength. According to this panel, the most important features when selecting bonding agents are:

• No postoperative discomfort or sensitivity
• The durability of restorations and bond strength
• Decreasing the risk of secondary caries
• Not (or less) technique sensitive

These features are strongly related to the quality of adhesion functions. The panel discussed, in further detail, the “quality” of adhesion, examining the importance of long-term durability and technique sensitivity.

In order to achieve long-term durability, the quality of hybrid layer/nano interaction zone (NIZ) in the bond and dentin interface is very important. Protecting collagen fibrils from biodegradation by enzymes contributes to long-term durability. Current research data prove that CLEARFIL™ SE BOND and CLEARFIL PROTECT BOND have a very strong NIZ. CLEARFIL PROTECT BOND is more durable than CLEARFIL SE BOND because of the MDPB monomer, an antibacterial agent that may affect the interface.

There are many types of bonding agents on the market. Total-etch bonding agents are significantly affected by practitioner experiences (“operator variability”). Total-etch bonding agents are also affected by wet conditions of dentin, and some one-bottle self-etch bonding agents are influenced by the pressure of air-flow. On the other hand, two-step self-etch adhesives, especially CLEARFIL SE BOND, are significantly less technique sensitive. Therefore, most clinicians can achieve reliable, predictable, and outstanding results when using Kuraray adhesives.

Not all self-etch bonding agents are the same, especially when comparing bond strength and durability. Products that use different adhesive monomers have different properties. Furthermore, there are many types of comparison data that evaluate only by short-term shear bond strength, which should not be the only factor when analyzing the bond strength of adhesives.

Shrinkage of collagen fibers within the dentin caused by over drying during acid - etch procedure (E: acid-etched dentin, W: water)* (Dr. S. Inokoshi, Tokyo, Japan) *Self-etch products are less technique sensitive regarding moisture.

For further information and to view the supporting figures and illustrations, please see the online interactive pdf, Technical Solutions for CLEARFIL Adhesives, at: https://kuraraydental.com/resources/01_technical_solutions_for_clearfil_adhesives.pdf.