TheraCem®
Simplifying procedures while imparting ion-releasing benefits
Brian Baliwas, DDS
After graduating from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2014, I started building my own practice within a larger group practice in San Francisco, California. The focus of my practice has always been on delivering minimally invasive, evidence-based dentistry and providing my patients with the dental education needed to help them participate in developing their treatment plans as part of a doctor-patient team.
Typically, I bond all of my restorations with a traditional adhesive resin cement system, but for cases with deep, subgingival margins in which isolation can be a challenge, I need a reliable, radiopaque, and easy to clean self-adhesive resin cement, so I started using TheraCem®.
Bisco prioritizes the chemistry of their products as well as how their materials function in our hands. I admire their approach and philosophy regarding the development of dental materials. I consider myself a "dental nerd," so it's no surprise that I was drawn to benefits of TheraCem's chemical composition.
My practice philosophy fa-vors partial coverage, non-retentive preparations. So generally, any traditionally designed crowns that I deliver are replacements. Often-times, in these cases, the preparation's margins are subgingival, and the tooth structure is significantly reduced from its original form. TheraCem's continuous calcium/fluoride ion release1 and alkaline pH make it ideal for creating an environment that helps protect the remaining tooth structure and the margins from recurrent decay. I sandblast the intaglio surface of all of my yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia crowns, but because TheraCem contains 10- methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP), I don't have to employ any additional primers to place these restorations.
One of the major benefits of using TheraCem during procedures is the cleanup. There's nothing worse, or more time consuming, than trying to clean up cement that sets too quickly or doesn't set sufficiently when tack cured. TheraCem forgivingly tack cures to a gel phase, making it easy to remove with floss and an explorer. This, along with TheraCem's high radiopacity, makes my job easier and gives me peace of mind that I haven't left any excess cement in the sulcus.
In addition, TheraCem is a single syringe system, which helps to simplify my practice's inventory as well as its clinical protocols. I'd recommend that my fellow clinicians give TheraCem a try if they're looking to add a cement with the benefits of ion release, alkaline pH, and easy cleanup. I introduced TheraCem to the other doctors at my office, and they have all switched to using it as their go-to self-adhesive resin cement.
Reference
1. Gleave CM, Chen L, Suh BI. Calcium & fluoride recharge of resin cements. Dent Mater. 2016;32:e26.
Key Takeaways
1. Offers clinicians reliable and durable cementation of indirect restorations
2. Specifically formulated to allow for quick and easy cleanup
3. Delivers a strong bond to zirconia and most substrates with no priming or etching required
4. Easy to identify on radiographs for a quick and effective diagnosis
Manufacturer Information
Bisco Dental Products
bisco.com
800-247-3368
About the Author
Brian Baliwas, DDS
Private Practice
San Francisco, California
