The JetMix syringe system ensures fresh, consistent delivery of Peak self-etch adhesive.
According to Ultradent, the company made a deliberate decision to postpone offering a self-etch adhesive system until they felt confident that it could deliver a reliable product. The company wanted to create a product that would eliminate many of the problems that often occur with self-etch adhesive systems—degradation of the many chemicals that are required, which can lead to reduced bond strength.
Ultradent also wanted to create a reliable self-etch system that ensured the product would bond well to both enamel and dentin. In February 2007, Ultradent introduced the Peak self-etch adhesive system, which includes a self-etch primer and light-cure bond resin. In research presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research, it was shown that the Peak self-etch system has an enamel bond strength of 38.3 MPa and dentin bond strength of 35.7 MPa.1 To address the issue of chemical degradation, Ultradent packages Peak in a JetMix syringe-to-syringe delivery system. The JetMix system separates precise quantities of strong 1.2 pH acid and optimized priming resin with a thin membrane. The 2 components are combined when the end plunger is pressed into the middle of the barrel, rupturing the membrane. According to the manufacturer, keeping the individual components separate until they’re ready to be used provides the dentist with a fresh mixture that will maintain bond strengths to both enamel and dentin.
Six dentists participated in the Dental Product Shopper evaluation of the Peak self-etch adhesive system. They were asked about Peak’s ease of use, technique, and postoperative sensitivity.
Ease of Use
When the evaluators were asked about the importance of ease of use when purchasing a self-etch adhesive system, all 6 said it is very important. The evaluators were then asked to rate the ease of use of Peak. Four evaluators rated it as excellent to very good and 2 rated it as fair. One of the evaluators who rated ease of use as fair said, “I found it difficult to dispense the proper amount.” Another evaluator described the product as “simple and easy to use.”
Technique
According to the manufacturer’s instructions, the self-etch technique directs the user to rinse the prepared restoration and leave it moist. Peak self-etch primer is applied to the restoration surface for 20 seconds with continuous agitation. To thin or dry the primer, use high-volume suction directly over the preparation for 3 seconds.
Technique was rated as very important to important by all the evaluators when purchasing a self-etch system. When the evaluators were asked to rate the technique for using the Peak system, 3 rated it as excellent to very good and 3 rated it as good to fair. One evaluator said, “I think the packaging is good, but the amount dispensed should be easier to control.” Another evaluator said, “The technique was relatively easy compared to similar adhesive systems.”
Postoperative Sensitivity
The evaluators were asked to follow up with their patients regarding any postoperative sensitivity they may have experienced with Ultradent’s Peak self-etch system and then rate the product. Two of the evaluators rated Peak as excellent in this category and 4 rated it as very good to good. One evaluator said that “none was reported.” Another evaluator said, “There was virtually no postoperative sensitivity, which is key to patient satisfaction.”
Overall Satisfaction
When asked if they would recommend the Peak self-etch system to colleagues, 3 evaluators said definitely or probably. Three evaluators also said that they would definitely or probably purchase the system in the future.
At the end of the evaluation, the dentists who participated were asked to give their overall satisfaction rating for Peak. Three evaluators rated it as excellent to very good and 3 rated it as good to fair. One evaluator described Peak as having “very good bond strength. I placed some very large restorations that might have been lost otherwise.”
Reference
1. Price RB, McLeod M, Felix CM. Bond strengths of self-etching bonding systems to dentin and enamel. J Dent Res. 2008;87(Special Issue A):Abstract 0825.
