The Right Chemistry for Clinical Success

In dentistry, it’s critical to use products that are designed to work together, particularly when it comes to bonding. Why? You may be asking for trouble when you mix and match products from different manufacturers that aren’t compatible, from unexpected hiccups during the procedure to the worst-case scenario—debonding. Pairing materials that are made for each other is becoming more important in dentistry, said Dr. Mark Cannon, an avid dental materials researcher, and he added that it's something BISCO does quite beautifully.

The team at BISCO spends a lot of time researching and developing plug-and-play solutions that streamline dental workflows, agreed Dr. Rolando Nuñez, DDS, MSc, BISCO’s Manager of Clinical Marketing. The manufacturer wants dentists to feel confident that the steps they’re taking during a procedure will result in success, making their days less stressful and leading to happier patients.

Meet a BISCO 'Power Couple'

One of the most popular BISCO product combinations is All-Bond Universal, a light-cured, single-bottle dental adhesive, and Duo-Link Universal, an adhesive resin cement compatible with all dental materials.

“Duo-Link Universal is a dual-cure resin cement that has multiple applications, and it needs to be used in conjunction with a bonding agent,” Dr. Nuñez said. “We developed All-Bond Universal making sure it was 100% compatible with any dual-cure product on the market. The 1-bottle system doesn’t require an additional activator, and you don’t need to think about its compatibility or chemistry.”

All-Bond Universal and Duo-Link Universal combined “yield a very interesting, high bond strength to tooth structure,” Dr. Nuñez said, which is what every dentist wants to achieve. Together, the two products form an easy-to-use, comprehensive kit that streamlines workflows, simplifies product selection, and reduces inventory. 

A Streamlined Workflow

So, how should these products be used together? Apply All-Bond Universal to the prep after your bonding protocol of choice, Dr. Nuñez said. Then, apply Duo-Link Universal, which will interact very well with the adhesive.

This pairing can be used for porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, lithium disilicate, and zirconia without the need for multiple kits and products. This saves dentists time and money, as these 1-bottle solutions eliminate the need to keep multiple products on hand, creating less inventory to pay for and to manage.

“Duo-Link Universal is one of my favorites,” Dr. Cannon said. “Because it is dual curable, it can be tack cured for quicker cleanup of any excess cement. It pairs perfectly with All-Bond Universal, providing superior adhesion.”

Duo-Link Universal also is Dr. Johan Figueira’s go-to cement for thicker crowns, he said, because it can be difficult to completely cure these restorations with just a light. He’ll etch the enamel, rinse and dry, place and cure All-Bond Universal, and then place and cure Duo-Link Universal. Once he’s done, he knows the material has cured properly and that the bond will be strong and durable.

Dr. Robert Mokbel, who recently evaluated these products together in a DPS review, appreciates Duo-Link Universal’s working time, flow, and consistency. He also likes that All-Bond Universal doesn’t need an activator. “When dealing with multiple restorations, using a reliable bonding agent and a strong cement is very important, and these products streamline the cementation procedure,” he said. “The instructions are very simple to follow and the simple steps make it easy to be more efficient.”

Predictable Procedures

Bonding is all about chemistry, said Dr. Figueira, who is a cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles, CA. That’s why it’s so critical to invest in products formulated to work together. He added that it can be dangerous to use products from different manufacturers without understanding their specific steps and chemistries, as this can compromise the bond. Every company does its own research and develops its own formulations, so it’s best to invest in products designed specifically to eliminate the guesswork.

Ultimately, Dr. Figueira trusts the BISCO team and the research it puts into its products. “BISCO products simplify things. They make procedures very predictable, and I have no doubt that these products work. In my clinic, there are 7 dentists bonding with BISCO products the whole day—not including myself—and the debonding here is nonexistent. We’ve had zero complaints and zero popped-off restorations. That’s a big number!"