Chemical Decontamination for Strong Zirconia Bonds

Rolando Nuñez, DDS, MSc, on BISCO’s ZirClean®

Rolando Nuñez, DDS

After graduating with a dental degree from Central University of Venezuela in 1997, I enrolled in a biomaterials graduate program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. My interest in materials ultimately led me to become a private clinical consultant for BISCO. In this position, I worked closely with the research and development department to create innovative products for dentists. During my experience with the company, it became clear that BISCO prioritizes the chemistry of the materials that they produce, which is extremely important to me. In addition to placing a strong emphasis on science, BISCO also keeps the practicing clinician in mind when they create new products and update their current ones. In this regard, handling and ease of use are aspects that are considered from each material's conception through its final development. My partnership with BISCO evolved, and I am now their clinical research manager.

To address the growing popularity of zirconia restorations, BISCO launched ZirClean^®—a cleaning gel designed for the nonabrasive cleaning of the bonding surfaces of zirconia and other prosthetic restorations. Zirconia continues to gain popularity as a restorative material because it is both incredibly strong and esthetically pleasing. However, one problem associated with using zirconia for an indirect restoration is that the restoration is immediately contaminated during the try-in process. Zirconia becomes contaminated while in the patient's mouth due to the chemical reaction of the phosphate lipids that are contained in saliva, which reduce the bond strength of adhesive agents. To solve this problem, BISCO designed ZirClean. ZirClean chemically removes contamination from restoration surfaces, reestablishing zirconia's ability to achieve a strong chemical bond.

Some clinicians attempt to use other methods to decontaminate zirconia, such as cleaning it with water, ethanol, or acetone; however, using these types of solvents will not remove contaminants that are ionically bonded to the surfaces. Chemical decontamination is a must in order to guarantee a proper chemical bond to zirconia; therefore, restoring the material's ability to achieve a chemical bond is the most important goal when cleaning a zirconia restoration.

In addition to its chemical cleaning properties, ZirClean is cost-effective, and the application is efficient due to its user-friendly syringe delivery system. The material comes in a gel form, which was specifically engineered for easy placement and cleanup. If you're a practitioner who places zirconia restorations, then incorporating this simple step in order to achieve reliable adhesive bonding results is a no-brainer.

Key Takeaways

1. Delivery system offers improved ease of use

2. Easy placement and cleanup

3. Helps achieve reliable adhesive bonding results*

4. Contaminants such as saliva can be removed to help achieve better bond strength after try-in*

*When compared with untreated samples. Data available from manufacturer.

About the Author

Rolando Nuñez, DDS, MSc
Clinical Research Manager
BISCO, Inc.

Manufacturer Information

BISCO, Inc.
bisco.com
800-247-3368