Two etchants from BISCO, Select HV Etch w/BAC and Uni-Etch w/BAC, give clinicians the viscosities needed to achieve the best results for both the total-etch and selective-etch bonding techniques
BISCO first introduced Uni-Etch, a 32% phosphoric acid semi-gel etchant, when total-etch was the bonding technique of choice, Dr. Nuñez said. It’s intended to easily cover large areas of the substrate. But as the selective-etch technique became more popular, the team at BISCO wanted to give dentists another option. They developed Select HV Etch as a 35% phosphoric acid etchant that’s more viscous and stays where it’s placed, giving clinicians more control and making it possible to etch very specific areas.
“It had to be thicker,” Dr. Nuñez said. “Its viscosity helps the placement of etchant on the enamel without having the added risk of running into the dentin.”
While Uni-Etch is more flowable and Select HV Etch more viscous, both etchants are versatile and can be used with either technique, Dr. Nuñez said. Offering different viscosities for different bonding techniques “adds an element of specificity” that can help make the bonding procedure easier and “have a really positive impact on the user experience,” he said.
“You can rest assured that the etchant will accomplish what you need to accomplish to obtain the best bond possible,” Dr. Nuñez added.
Deactivating MMPs
Both etchants contain BAC, an antimicrobial agent that cleanses the tooth.* BAC is also known inhibitor of MMPs.1 MMPs are inactive enzymes in dentin that are activated by acid. When activated, these enzymes degrade the hybrid layer over time. Independent studies have shown that BAC inhibits MMPs.1
Better Bonds
Bonding procedures require clinicians to be thoughtful and careful. There’s no going back once the treatment is done, making it critical to invest in the materials that work best for you. By offering two etchants, BISCO seeks to meet different needs, improving the user experience and leading to better bonds.
“Success is always related to the details,” Dr. Nuñez said. “Etching with phosphoric acid is half of the bonding procedure, and using the best product available can make a difference.”
* NOTE: Inclusion of BAC has not been shown to correlate with a reduction in secondary decay in patients. In-vivo clinical studies to evaluate the effects of BAC on oral bacteria or caries have not been performed
1. Tezvergil-Mutluay A et al. The anti-MMP activity of benzalkonium chloride. J Dent. 2011 Jan;39(1):57-64.
