iBOND Self Etch

The era of alloy dentistry is nearly history and now we rely on adhesive dentistry to bond our composite restoratives to natural tooth structure. Both the consumer and dental practitioner have driven the dental marketplace to respond to the need for easier, stronger and faster-acting materials, as the demand continues to rise for more esthetic and natural-looking restorations. The professional community has also demanded large-scale research and clinical evidence before releasing any new adhesive dental products. The profession has been clamoring for adhesive systems that are better, ie, provide greater bond strength, prevent postoperative sensitivity, and are easier to use.

We have been besieged by "generations" of adhesive materials. Since the introduction of the bonding agents in the early 1990s that offered 17 MPa to 22 MPa, there has been a marked switch by dentists from alloy to composites, especially when restoring the posterior dentition. And with this evolution has come a great demand for better adhesive bonding agents and composite products.

Currently, one-bottle bonding systems are seemingly the most popular. And it is within this one bottle that we want a product to etch, prime, and bond. Furthermore, we want that product to do all that in just one simple application, while maintaining a very high bond strength to both enamel and dentin.

iBOND Self Etch (Heraeus Kulzer, Armonk, NY) (Figure 1 and Figure 2) is a seventh-generation material that responds to the desires of so many demanding dentists. This material, available in either a multi-dose bottle or single-dose units, is the answer to those demands. There have been numerous studies and clinical trials conducted in the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Switzerland, Belgium, and Japan by more than 15 universities and 350 clinicians. Most impressive were the results of microtensile testing by Professor R. Frankenberger (Friedrich-Alexander University, Germany) in which he recorded a very impressive 45 MPa shear bond strength to enamel and dentin. In a similar test on deciduous dentition, conducted at Loma Linda University in California by Dr. R. Lu, iBOND Self Etch recorded a shear bond strength of 29 MPa. There is enough clinical research now available to show that iBOND Self Etch has the highest bond strength of all-in-one bottle systems currently on the market.

This advanced formula product relies on unique 4-META chemistry to gain both high bond strength and a reduction of nearly all postoperative sensitivity. How it works can be best understood by knowing that 4-META is a special acidic monomer that dissolves the mineral component of both enamel and dentin which allows the iBOND Self Etch to penetrate into those areas and bond collagen and calcium within the tooth. At the same time, the 4-META monomers will precipitate proteins and close the dentin tubuli to maximize the bond strength and minimize sensitivity. Acetone, in combination with the 4-META, carries the monomer deep into the tooth surface and increases the hybrid layer, thereby improving the marginal seal bond strength. It is the acetone, which evaporates quickly, that enables the reduction in the amount of water in the product and allows for quicker air drying, which is so important in deep cavities.

As mentioned previously, iBOND Self Etch has the highest bond strength of all-in-one bottle systems currently on the market. At the same time, Heraeus has made the product much easier to use in clinical application. Until its initial use, it is suggested that the product be stored in the refrigerator, but once opened, refrigeration is no longer necessary. The new filler technology improves consistency so only one application/coat is needed. Both time and technique have been simplified:

1. Shake the bottle/unit dose before opening.
2. Dispense one drop (easily accomplished with the improved tip on the bottle) into the mixing well and quickly close/re-cap the bottle (Figure 3).
3. As with the unit-dose package, simply dip the brush into the material and apply a single coat to the restoration starting at the uppermost/outermost margin of the cavity preparation, applying it first to enamel and then dentin in the same application.
4. Agitate for 20 seconds (especially in the presence of sclerotic dentin).
5. Using a gentle stream of air, dry for 5 to 10 seconds until there is an absence of all fluid movement and a glossy surface appears.
6. Photocure for 20 seconds.

No more separate steps for etching, priming, or desensitizing, iBOND Self Etch is a clinically proven adhesive that provides the dentist with an extremely high bond strength, improved marginal seal, and reduced postoperative sensitivity all in one application. It has truly simplified the adhesive process to the point where we can simply prepare the tooth, apply iBOND Self Etch, and fill the prepared area. Clearly, this not only saves time, but will ensure consistency in achieving excellent results.

This article was written by Howard S. Glazer, DDS, FAGD.

For more information, contact:
Heraeus Kulzer, Inc.
Phone: 800-431-1785
Web site: www.heraeus-kulzer-us.com

DISCLAIMER

The preceding material was provided by the manufacturer. The statements and opinions contained therein are solely those of the manufacturer and not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dentistry. The preceding is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval for the aforementioned products or services or their effectiveness, quality, or safety on the part of Inside Dentistry or AEGIS Communications. The publisher disclaims responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas or products referred to in the preceding material.

Figure 1 iBond bottle for one-drop dispensing.
Figure 2 iBond value package.		Figure 3 iBOND assortment package with brushes for clinical application.