Product Evaluation

3M

3M Scotchbond Universal Plus

3M Scotchbond Universal Plus provides clinicians with controlled delivery, easy application, time savings, and strength for predictable results in a range of indications 

New and improved! Consumers see these words all the time, but sometimes they mean little more than the same product in shiny new packaging. This is not the case with 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus, the latest member of the trusted Scotchbond family of products. This universal adhesive provides the versatility, strength, and speed of its predecessors while offering greater control and predictability for multiple indications, substrates, and etching techniques. Easy to dispense and place exactly where needed, 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus is a radiopaque, dual-cured universal adhesive that has now become Dr. James Merrett’s “one product for multiple adhesion techniques.”

Dr. Merrett was mostly satisfied with his previous bonding agent, but he found it limiting with respect to technique and was hoping to find one material that was truly universal but also radiopaque. When he tried 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus for this DPS evaluation, he discovered that he “really liked this product” for its radiopacity, universal application, and lack of postoperative sensitivity. “I tried multiple techniques of adhesion with this product and had no sensitivity with any of those techniques.”

Ease of Application

The bottle features a flip-top vial and nozzle design for easy dispensing and placement, and the adhesive also comes in unit doses. The simple application technique saved time for Dr. Joel Gentry, who appreciated the “easy instructions and applications.” Dr. Richard Creaghe said he liked the “one-hand operation, which minimizes time when concerned about cervical liquid contamination.”

“I love the top; it reduces waste,” noted Dr. Joe Casey, and Dr. Todd Gottlieb said he “loved the ease of the single-bottle technique.” Dr. Jeffrey Sachs discovered that the single-bottle delivery for selfcured procedures “saves steps for bonding crowns with resin cement” but thought the material was “slightly too viscous.” John Fischer, DDS, found that 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus wets the tooth surface well, Dr. John Horn said it “doesn’t smell or leave a thick fi lm,” and Dr. Sheri Audu suggested a reduced evaporation time.

Lack of Postoperative Sensitivity

Feedback about reduced postoperative sensitivity was overwhelmingly positive, with Dr. Fischer stating he had “no reports of any postop sensitivity” after using 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus. After performing several deep restorations, Dr. Gottlieb said patients felt “very little sensitivity as compared to previous bonding agents,” and Dr. Casey reported “no complaints from patients, even on deep lesions.” After using the adhesive for a few weeks in his practice, Dr. Horn said he is “confi dent that 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus will be the best solution for my patients, resulting in less postop sensitivity and debonding, and a better patient experience.”

“ It saved time and improved clinical results and the patient experience with no postop sensitivity.”

Tanya Brown, DMD, FAGD

Chesapeake, VA

Versatility

With excellent bond strength for virtually all dual-cure resin cement indications, 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus is a versatile restorative solution. It bonds effectively to caries-affected dentin, helps prevent secondary decay by sealing the dentin with a well-defi ned void-free hybrid layer, and creates excellent margins. As the fi rst universal adhesive with dentin-like radiopacity, it may reduce the risk of misdiagnosis and subsequent overtreatment, according to 3M.

Calling it “a truly one-bond solution for restorative care,” Dr. Gentry said he used the adhesive for composites, posts, and bonded crowns and appreciates the “shine of a successful bond application, yet minimal fi lm thickness.” Dr. Sachs said it has “great versatility for many indications,” and is “great for all bonding procedures, especially for bonding crowns with selfcure capability.” Dr. Joseph DeLapa found it helpful for sealants, crown cementation, and bonding fi llings.

Describing 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus as “an excellent choice” when combined with “a warm composite technique to ensure a complete fi ll and excellent bond,” Dr. Horn said it air dries to a nice shine and isn’t too fi lmy, “resulting in beautiful composite veneers.” He also noticed that the material “didn’t look like recurrent decay on postop fi lms.” Dr. Audu said it “allows for reliable bonding and minimizes debonding on Class Vs,” Dr. Casey said it “reduces time and provides great bond strength,” and Dr. Gottlieb agreed that it provided “excellent bond strength” while decreasing sensitivity. Noting that the bond strength seems strong and he has had no failures, Dr. Fischer and many other dentists look forward to viewing the long-term results.

Overall Satisfaction

Always a Scotchbond user, Dr. Fischer considers 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus “a good update to a good product.” Calling it “predictable, easy to use, and effective,” Dr. Tanya Brown said, “It saved time and improved clinical results and the patient experience with no postop sensitivity.” Dr. Horn said 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus is now his “go-to bond” and concluded, “It exceeded my expectation as a universal bond that I can use with both direct and indirect procedures.”

Takeaways

• Suitable for multiple indications and substrates with all etching techniques and with dual- and self-cure options
• Bonds to restorative and dental substrates with excellent bond strength to all dualcure resins
• The first universal adhesive with dentin-like radiopacity
• Causes virtually no postoperative sensitivity
• Delivered in unit doses or in a flip-top vial