Always Read the Instructions

Of all of the aspects of restorative dentistry, adhesion is arguably one of the most complicated and technique-sensitive subjects for dentists to master. And it doesn't help that the knowledge base is always in flux due to ongoing research into best practices and the continuous release of new products with ever-changing formulations and protocols.

In this month's special issue on adhesion, Inside Dentistry takes a look at some of the more recent developments in adhesive dentistry to bring them to your attention. Much of the research, into both materials and protocols, has been focused on improving the strength and durability of bonds and increasing efficiency. Some of the developments involve smaller incremental changes that are already in production, such as the development of adhesives that are more moisture tolerant, include new functional monomers, or require less scrubbing or waiting time as well as the development of cements that can be used in either a self-adhesive mode or with a bonding agent. Other developments are more innovative and still being validated by research, such as the use of lasers and non-thermal argon plasma as surface treatments to improve the strength of bonds to zirconia or the incorporation of nanostructured zirconia into adhesives to help inhibit degradation of the dentin-adhesive interface.