Product Evaluation

While dentists face many challenges during restorative dental procedures, controlling moisture levels to ensure a successful outcome is a frequent frustration, especially when working with an adhesive. Because dentin that is too wet or too dry can lead to adhesive failure, many dentists, including Dr. Chuck Rubin, desire a universal adhesive that works “confidently and predictably in virtually all situations, regardless of moisture present.”

Thankfully, Dr. Rubin found that confidence and predictability with Prime&Bond active, a new uni­versal adhesive from Dentsply Sirona that features patented Active-Guard Technology—a significant advancement in adhesive chemistry that actively controls moisture on the prepared surface. Its ability to perform when dentin is too wet or too dry “is by far its biggest strength and the reason I will continue to use it in my practice,” declared Dr. Rubin after us­ing the material for several weeks. With predictable results and “no reported cases of postop sensitivity,” he added, “It’s an outstanding product that performs so well that I’m changing my bonding agent for the first time in many years.”

Dispensing, Handling, and Visibility

Suitable for use with all etching methods and for virtually all indications, the material has a low viscos­ity and a convenient flip-top cap for easy dispensing and application. The yellow color during application enhances visibility, and the low film thickness allows users to create a thin, uniform layer that eliminates pooling and is virtually invisible after light curing.

The 1-handed opening and closing and drop-at-a-time dispensing made application “much easier when I needed to work alone,” shared Dr. Scott Turik. Appreciating the container and covered dapper dish that “made it simple for multiple restorations,” Dr. Ryan Saunders said, “The ease of use kept my chairside routine the same while improving the bond for my patients.” Dr. Rubin appreciates the “excep­tionally thin film thickness” and the ease of use and versatility that “make the chairside experience much smoother.” Dr. Yu-Chi Chung liked that he “can thin it out and still see where the bond sticks,” and Dr. Gregg Fink said, “The bright yellow color eliminates concerns about dispensing the right liquid.”

Impressed with Prime&Bond active’s “easy han­dling with no pooling,” Dr. Joseph Ritz said the “ease of spreading and visualization of the material cover­age” were his favorite features, and Dr. Manny Chopra called it “easy to use for virtually all applications.” Dr. Rubin suggested an indicator showing how much liquid remains in the bottle, and some evaluators commented on a strong smell.

Performance in Wet and Dry Environments

With Active-Guard Technology, the material’s well-balanced hydrophobic and hydrophilic prop­erties allow complete coverage and penetration at varying moisture levels.

Because of Prime&Bond active’s “higher moisture tolerance than most bonding agents,” Dr. Derek Vinkovich said, “It provides peace of mind when working in areas where moisture tolerance is difficult.” For Dr. R.J. Sondkar, it “worked very well in poorly moisture-controlled restorations, minimizing the need for reapplication.” Prime&Bond active was “more forgiving in moist and dry environments,” according to Dr. Saunders, and Dr. David Ly said it lasted longer before drying out.

Impressed with “the ease of bond­ing in difficult-to-access posterior sites, where ideal moisture control is difficult to achieve,” Dr. Gadi Raichelson said he spent less time drying the prep site and proce­dure times were faster. Ultimately, this gave him “peace of mind knowing the bond strength wasn’t compromised.”

Reliable and Predictable Outcomes

“Prime&Bond active is a great material to work with—reliable and predictable,” said Dr. Chopra. When treating a 10-year-old with trauma on tooth Nos. 8 and 9, he was very happy to have this universal adhesive in his armamentarium. “I was able to build up the incisal edge, and bonding is still working a few weeks later, as expected,” he added.

Dr. Vinkovich found it “very helpful in the delivery of molar hybrid compos­ite onlays” and had “no complaints of sensitivity,” which was echoed by several other evaluators. Also reporting “no sen­sitivity issues,” Dr. Ritz found it especially beneficial with difficult-to-access Class II direct fill composites. Dr. Rubin called it “very helpful when rubber dam use and isolation are challenging, such as with second molars or buccal restorations.”

Acknowledging the need for more time to determine long-term reliability, Dr. Turik said he anticipates “more predictable outcomes” and has “confidence in the final product.” Also eager to “see how it does long term,” Dr. Fink said Prime&Bond active is “very promising” and added, “Overall, this seems like an excellent evolution of Prime& Bond elect.”

Overall Satisfaction

“Prime&Bond active is a versatile bond that works in a wide variety of restorative cases with consistent outcomes,” shared Dr. Sondkar, and Dr. Ritz said, “I felt confident using this product across a range of applications.” Dr. Rubin concluded, “The fact that I can be confident utilizing this bonding agent in any situation makes restorative dentistry less stressful. Prime&Bond active will be our practice’s bonding agent of choice moving forward.”