Behind the Bond: Exploring the 'Best' of BISCO

What makes a great dental product? It has to work—predictably and reliably. It needs solid research and science behind it. And just as importantly, it should come with the kind of support that helps clinicians use it effectively in everyday practice. That’s a tall order, but for John Horn, DMD, it’s exactly what he looks for when choosing materials. It’s also why he turns to BISCO for his restorative needs.

“I find people at smaller companies to be more invested in the company,” he said of working with BISCO team members over the years. “It’s more like a family. They really stand behind their products and they all seem to be engaged in what they’re selling and offering to the dental market.”

Quality Products with a Personal Touch

Relying on many of BISCO's DPS Best Products—All-Bond Universal, TheraBase, TheraCem, Duo-Link Universal, and Z-Prime Plus—in his Hegins, PA, dental practice, Dr. Horn enjoys the manufacturer’s direct-to-you promise, which ensures competitive pricing without the distributor markup.

But it’s not just about the savings.

“It’s also the quality of the product,” he explained. “BISCO does a lot of research on their materials, and I appreciate that. I like to see what they’re bringing to market. They’re very innovative.” At BISCO, making customers feel like family is a top priority. The team strives to build strong connections with dentists like Dr. Horn, actively listening to their questions and concerns.

“You feel like your opinions matter,” he said. “BISCO puts out very good products that every general dentist can use, and these competitively priced products produce outstanding results.”

Over the next few pages, we shine a spotlight on BISCO’s growing list of DPS Best Products, including the cements, adhesives, core buildups, and Thera Family members that are elevating restorative dentistry for clinicians everywhere.

THERACEM

Ever feel like you need a PhD in chemistry just to choose the right dental cement? If so, you’re not alone. Many aspects of the protocol that dentists rely on, such as how long to etch, depend on the substrate being used. For example, today's crowns, bridges, inlays, and onlays are made from a variety of materials, including composite resin, porcelain, lithium disilicate, and zirconia. But fear not—one material that's up for the job is TheraCem, a dual- cured, calcium- and fluoride releasing, self- adhesive resin cement designed to deliver a strong bond to zirconia and most substrates.

“This cement bonds incredibly well," Dr. Alan Pressman said. "TheraCem is not only easy to use, but it also releases calcium—something not all products offer. I've tried other brands, and they tend to be more technique-sensitive and harder to use. TheraCem bonds to everything with minimal technique sensitivity.”

Transitioning from an acidic to an alkaline pH in just minutes,* TheraCem is specially formulated for quick and easy cleanup, while its low film thickness ensures restorations are completely seated. “The ability to self-cure the material makes cleanup quick and easy,” Dr. George Reskakis shared. “I no longer struggle to remove hardened cement from interproximals.”

DUO-LINK UNIVERSAL

A cement that BISCO describes as “universally strong and universally simple,” Duo-Link Universal is an all around choice for virtually every indirect restoration. Just ask Steven Rabedeaux, DDS, MAGD, who reaches for it often when repairing or replacing his patients’ older dental work.

“It’s never a good day when your work comes in a bag or a pill container,” he said, referring to the dreaded scenario when patients show up with a failed crown in tow. “Duo-Link Universal is my dependable go-to cement. I find that it performs just as indicated, and I’ve been very happy with the results.”

With a high degree of conversion in both light- and self-cure modes, Duo-Link Universal offers a strong, reliable bond. For Dr. Rabedeaux, the material’s cementing power is particularly helpful in scenarios where a tooth prep is shorter than optimal, or the parallelism isn’t very good.

“BISCO has some great scientists who know what they’re doing in resin-based chemistry. In general, they make great, dependable products,” he added. “Specifically, Duo-Link Universal is a great tool to have in the toolbox.”

SELECT HV ETCH

Regardless of bonding technique, phosphoric acid is a critical part of the bonding protocol, said Dr. Rolando Nuñez, BISCO’s Manager of Clinical Marketing. The original, Uni-Etch, was developed for the total-etch technique and is easy to spread over large areas. But over the years, as the selective-etch technique—applying phosphoric acid on enamel only—has gained popularity, BISCO responded with Select HV Etch, a 35% phosphoric acid that's viscous and stays where it’s placed.

“Its viscosity helps the placement of etchant on the enamel without having the added risk of running into the dentin," Dr. Nuñez explained. "You can rest assured that it will accomplish what you need to accomplish to obtain the best bond possible."

Select HV Etch also contains benzalkonium chloride, or BAC, an antimicrobial agent that cleanses the tooth.**

"Phosphoric acid alone doesn’t eliminate bacteria, so benzalkonium chloride is added to help cleanse the tooth for the best possible bond," Dr. Todd Snyder shared. "That's a huge advantage."

ALL-BOND UNIVERSAL

Have you ever stood in front of your dental shelf staring at rows and rows of bottles and wondered, “Am I running a dental practice or a chemistry lab?” Fortunately, All-Bond Universal takes the guesswork out of bonding, working seamlessly no matter what situation lands in your chair.

“All-Bond Universal has excellent bonding strength, and it isn’t difficult to use,” Dr. Pressman noted. “I have not had any issues. It’s affordable, it’s easy to use, and I know it will work. I’ve been using it for a few years and I’m happy with it.”

Compatible with all etching modes and all light-, self-, and dual-cured resin composite and cement mate-rials, All-Bond Universal can be used on wet, dry, or moist tooth structure. With high bond strength to both dentin and all substrates, it virtually eliminates postop sensitivity.

“I actually used it on my last case, a mesial-occlusal on a lower wisdom tooth, which was not easy because the patient couldn’t open well,” Dr. Pressman explained. “I used a suction device, but it wasn’t 100% dry. Even still—I was able to complete the MO restoration in record time using All-Bond Universal.”

For Devin McClintock, DDS, having a 1-bottle system that eliminates the need for an activator is the adhesive’s biggest selling point. “I love that All-Bond Universal can be used for pretty much any situation and it’s the same protocol,” she said. “You’re not introducing a ton of different systems for every case. It’s very consistent across the board, which makes it easier for my assistant to stay organized."

Z‑PRIME PLUS

As zirconia continues to be a top choice for crowns and bridges, it’s important to understand why. According to Dr. Nuñez, zirconia offers a trifecta of benefi ts: strength, durability, and esthetics, even in esthetically demanding anterior areas.

"Z-Prime Plus was developed in response to the long-standing belief that bonding to zirconia was not possible due to its non-reactive, crystalline structure," he explained. "Unlike traditional ceramics, zirconia lacks a glass phase, making it resistant to conventional silane-based adhesion methods. BISCO’s research was published and proved that specialized primers containing phosphate-based monomers, such as MDP, could chemically interact with zirconia’s surface, significantly improving bond strength. This breakthrough allowed for more reliable adhesive cementation of zirconia restorations, enhancing their longevity and clinical success."

The result of that research was Z-Prime Plus, a DPS Best Product that enhances bond strengths to zirconia, alumina, and metal restorations by combining 2 active monomers—MDP and BPDM, a carboxylate monomer.

“Z-Prime Plus especially gives me more faith in the ability to retain crowns in minimal height crown preps,” said Dr. Michael Slomnicki, adding that other primer-type products can evaporate easily. “It gives me reassurance that resin cements on zirconia crowns will have a high success rate."

CORE_FLO DC AND CORE_FLO DC LITE

Too thick, too thin, or just right? You shouldn’t have to morph into Goldilocks to fi nd a core buildup that flows the way you want it to. But without careful consideration, it’s easy to end up with a material that’s too runny, too time-consuming, or both. Luckily, Core-Flo DC and Core-Flo DC Lite offer a simple, reliable solution.

“I'm a big fan of consistency when it comes to extruding material,” noted Dr. McClintock, “and BISCO's Core-Flo DC and Core-Flo DC Lite offer superior handling—striking that delicate balance of being flowable but not too runny.”

Ideal for core buildups, post cementation, and as a dentin replacement material, Core-Flo DC is a dual-cured, flowable, and stackable core material with high compressive and flexural strength, low shrinkage, and a simplified technique. A self-leveling option, Core-Flo DC Lite offers excellent adaptation for gap-free margins when replacing natural dentition with a direct core buildup.

“Core-Flo DC Lite’s handling is one of the best on the market. It also cuts the closest to natural tooth structure, allowing the transition from tooth to buildup to be virtually indistinguishable,” Dr. McClintock said. “I also like that it’s a dual-cure core material—if I’m dealing with endodontically treated teeth, I want a light and a chemical cure to ensure the material will be fully polymerized and set to achieve maximum strength.”

THERABASE

Another BISCO product that helps create a solid restorative foundation is TheraBase, the newest member of the growing Thera Family of calcium-releasing materials.

Stronger and more durable than other base materials, glass ionomers, and RMGIs,* TheraBase is a dual-cure, self-adhesive base/liner that is designed to absorb occlusal forces without fracturing.

“I’ve been using TheraBase for the past several years, typically when re-storing teeth with deep decay,” Florida dentist Dr. Craig Aebli shared. “I like using it as a base to help protect areas that are close to the pulp.

"In addition to continuously releasing calcium and fluoride ions,* TheraBase is delivered via an automix dual syringe, which provides a consistent mix for immediate delivery, as well as minimal material waste. Once placed, its radiopacity allows for easy identification on radiographs.“

Having a material that doesn’t require manual mixing is useful, and I have not found another product that has the same properties and is convenient to use,” Dr. Aebli noted. “I like that it releases calcium and fluoride, is self- adhesive, and promotes pulp vitality.1 It gives me confidence to restore patients’ teeth and not worry about them coming back with problems.”

For Dr. Pressman, TheraBase is a modern material that solves an age-old problem. “A 28-year-old patient came in with a case that 20 years ago would have required a root canal,” he shared. “Instead, I did a direct pulp cap using TheraCal LC and some TheraBase and then put the restoration on. The patient didn’t need any endo, and the restoration is still going strong.”

As DPS evaluators, both Dr. Pressman and Dr. Aebli hold peer reviews in high regard. “Having TheraBase as a DPS Best Product gives me reassurance that I picked a good product for our practice and for our patients,” Dr. Aebli said. “The evaluation helps because it makes it easier to choose the right products with a proven  track record.”