Build the Best Foundation for Restorative Success

Restoring missing tooth structure after root canal treatment isn’t as easy as it seems,” said Dr. Robert Mokbel, DDS, DSO, who owns SoCal Prosthodontics in Fountain Valley, CA. “Many factors can lead to failure, and one of the biggest is the cohesive strength of the buildup material.”

With more than 40 years in practice, Dr. Mokbel has seen firsthand the evolution of restorative materials, and he’s relied on a range of products to meet the unique demands of endodontically treated teeth. Today, however, he puts full confidence in Kuraray’s CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS and CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick 2—a pairing that consistently provides him and his patients with the best possible foundation for restorative success.

Strong, Simple Core Buildups

A dual-cure, radiopaque, 2-component core buildup material, CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS features a 74% filler loading that translates to superior compressive and flexural strength. Beyond its “excellent” physical properties, Dr. Mokbel says the product’s ease of use—aided by optimal thixotropy and a simple automix delivery system—sets it apart.

“I have used many core buildup materials, and many are very good, but CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS is by far the most clinicianfriendly,” Dr. Mokbel shared during a recent Dental Product Shopper review. “It can be sculpted with precision, which makes tooth preparation much easier.”

Critically, the material doesn’t slump—a quality Dr. Mokbel says is essential for vertically building tooth structure around endodontic posts. And because CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS sets within seconds of curing light exposure, it allows him to begin prepping teeth immediately, maximizing efficiency in every procedure.

Better Bonding in 1 Step

Clinicians can bring even more predictability to their core buildups by pairing CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS with CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick 2—a versatile single bottle adhesive that leverages MDP, AMIDE, and Urethane Tetramethacrylate monomers to bond to dentin without waiting time.

“Adding CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick 2 to CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS is always a best-practice scenario,” Dr. Mokbel said, explaining that the universal bonding agent compensates for volumetric changes after composite curing. “CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick 2 penetrates into the dentinal tubules and pulls back on CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS to keep it from contracting away from the dentin,” he continued. “The 2 materials working in synergy improve the overall retention of the buildup.”

CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick 2’s inclusion of the MDP monomer also gives Dr. Mokbel reassurance that his core buildups will stand the test of time. “Kuraray was first to incorporate MDP into a universal bonding formula,” he said. “I trust that CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick 2 will protect CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS from the marginal breakdown and recurrent decay that have plagued composite materials for decades.”

Predictable Performance—With or Without a Post

As endodontic techniques evolve, clinicians can increasingly restore teeth without posts—and reduce removal of healthy dentin and the risk of root fracture in the process. Materials like CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS and CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick 2 help make this minimally invasive approach to treatment possible.

“Endodontists using rotary instruments and magnification can treat teeth with minimal removal of tooth structure, and in many cases, use the pulp chamber for retention and avoid a post entirely,” Dr. Mokbel explained. In these scenarios, “CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS and CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick 2 provide sufficient support for the final crown restoration.”

When a post is required, the combination of CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS and CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick 2 proves equally reliable. Dr. Mokbel recently used both products to treat a patient facing extraction after recurrent caries caused a long-span bridge failure.

“Both teeth were already endodontically treated and had good bony support, but the caries were at or below the gingival margin, and most of the coronal portions were missing,” he explained. With the help of CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS and CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick 2, both teeth were successfully restored using single crowns and implants placed in the missing pontic area.

Saving Teeth with Confidence

As Dr. Mokbel noted, “Saving teeth in the posterior mandible can be challenging,” but CLEARFIL materials set the stage for an ideal outcome. After 30 years of using Kuraray Noritake Dental products in his practice, Dr. Mokbel says he has no doubts about the long-term benefits they bring to patient care.

“Products like these give clinicians great confidence in their ability to save teeth,” he concluded.