As a practicing clinician, I’ve spent decades navigating the complexities of adhesive dentistry, and one truth remains constant: Technique is still the most critical factor in achieving predictable, long-lasting outcomes. While universal adhesives have become the cornerstone of many practices, their effectiveness depends on careful isolation, selective etching, precise application, and strict adherence to manufacturer protocols. At the same time, ongoing material enhancements have made adhesive dentistry more reliable and efficient than ever. Knowing how and when to use multiple adhesive systems, and thoughtfully integrating these innovations, can make all the difference in both everyday and complex restorations.
This annual adhesion issue of Inside Dentistry brings practical, immediately applicable guidance to your operatory. In an interview, Nate Lawson, DMD, PhD, contrasts traditional and biomimetic approaches, highlighting the importance of selective etching, intentional air-drying, and careful protocol refinement to preserve tooth structure while maximizing bond strength and durability. Matthew R. Miller, DDS, reinforces that the key to reliable adhesion lies in long-term stability, marginal integrity, and predictable clinical performance—achieved through isolation, proper light curing, and disciplined technique. Additional articles explore substrate-specific conditioning, isolation, and adhesive selection. Collectively, these features offer a roadmap for clinicians at all stages of practice, showing not just what to use but how to use it to achieve predictable, durable results.
As you explore this issue, I encourage you to reflect on your own bonding protocols, workflow, and attention to technique. Materials will continue to evolve, but the principles of conscientious preparation, precise isolation, and intentional adhesion remain timeless. By applying these strategies thoughtfully, you can deliver restorations that preserve tooth structure, optimize patient outcomes, and stand the test of time.
Here’s to mastering adhesion—one deliberate, precise step at a time.
Robert C. Margeas, DDS
Editor-in-Chief, Inside Dentistry
Private Practice, Des Moines, Iowa
Adjunct Professor • Department of Operative Dentistry
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
robert.margeas@conexiant.com
