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PANAVIA™ Veneer LC

Great solution for challenging task

PANAVIA™ family just got bigger! We are introducing the new PANAVIA™ Veneer LC – the specialist cement that offers aesthetics, excellent paste viscosity, easy handling and 200 seconds(!) working time under ambient light (8000 lux.). Coming in four different shades with matching try-in pastes from PANAVIA™ V5 system, it allows users to take into account the individual shade requirements and deliver highly aesthetic outcomes when cementing veneers, inlays and overlays.

Join our free webinar now and be the first to learn all the details about this new and exciting product from Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc..

ABOUT DR JORGE ESPIGARES, DDS, PHD

Dr. Jorge Espigares received his DDS degree at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Granada in Spain and obtained his PhD degree under the supervision of Prof. Tagami at Tokyo Medical and Dental University in Japan. Specialized in Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Dr. Jorge Espigares has clinical experience in Spain and UK, and has authored and coauthored full-length research publications with his colleagues at TMDU.

PRESENTATION OF A STUDY WITH ILLUSTRATIVE CASES

by Dr. Yohei Sato, DMD, PhD and Dr. Keisuke Ihara, CDT.

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, the application and advancement of digital technology in dentistry has made it possible to accomplish the fabrication of highly accurate prosthetic zirconia appliances that were difficult to mill using the previously available technology. In addition, thanks to advances in adhesive dentistry and the advent of cements that bond strongly to a diverse range of materials, cements have come into wide clinical use that can cope with the many types of materials used for the fabrication of prosthetic appliances.

At our hospital, we select the treatment method most suitable for each case by appropriately specifying various types of prosthetic appliance according to the status of each case. For example, we may specify zirconia prosthetic restorations fabricated by the CAD/CAM system, or silica-based ceramic prostheses, or those made of lithium disilicate glass, as the case dictates.

PANAVIA™ V5 is a resin cement system that bonds strongly to various types of prosthetic appliance, as well as to tooth structure. PANAVIA™ Veneer LC, a new resin cement system developed by Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., has suitable characteristics for bonding laminate veneers, using two types of primer that can be used in common with PANAVIA™ V5. Here are some clinical examples of its advantages as a resin cement system used for laminate veneers restorations.

Innovative technology behind PANAVIA Veneer LC

In this Highlights we discuss the technologies and how they contribute to the many benefits of the new PANAVIA Veneer LC

APPLICATION AND DISPENSING
Easy dispensing and high application control are achieved thanks to the specially designed syringe and application tip.

Case by Dr. Aleksandra Łyżwińska, Warsaw, Poland

ABSTRACT

Indirect overlays are the contemporary restoration standard for posterior teeth with extensive hard tissue loss. They provide for cuspal coverage, which decreases the likeliness of coronal and/or root fracture. At the same time and in contrast to crowns, overlay preparations minimize the removal of sound tooth structure especially in the cervical region, which is a critical factor.¹ Modern dental resin composites allow for direct cuspal coverage in a single-visit appointment. The results of in-vitro studies suggest that these direct overlays are a suitable alternative to their indirect counterparts in specific situations.^2-6 The following case report is used to describe the direct restoration procedure by means of a maxillary right molar with an extensive, deep MOD lesion.

INTRODUCTION

In the context of treating a tooth with an extensive carious lesion, a biomechanical risk assessment should be performed. The primary method of reducing the likeliness of tooth fracture is treatment with a restoration that provides cuspal coverage. The contemporary gold standard for biomechanically compromised teeth are adhesively cemented overlays as an alternative to crowns.¹ Another option that does not involve labwork is a direct overlay restoration.^2-6 The direct approach is especially suitable for long-term temporization, which may be required during orthodontic treatment, for example.

CLINICAL CASE

The 40-year-old male patient was referred to my office before an orthodontic and prosthetic treatment. Intraoral examination (Figs. 1 and 2) revealed:

• Tetracycline discolouration,
• Multiple extensive composite restorations with marginal leakage,
• Primary and secondary carious lesions, and
• Significant mechanical weakness^7,8 (mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities, cusp loss, cracks).

Fig. 1. Initial situation – extensive MOD composite resin restoration.

Fig. 2. Initial situation – unacceptable contact points, palatal wall crack line.

Based on a clinical and radiological examination (Fig. 3), it was decided to restore the maxillary right first molar with a direct overlay, which should serve as a long-term temporary for the duration of orthodontic treatment. Once the local anaesthetic had been administered, rubber dam was placed in the first quadrant and the cusps of the affected first molar were reduced. For subgingival tooth preparation, a rubber dam sheet was temporarily moved behind the second upper molar (Fig. 4). In order to obtain a good emergence profile of the restoration and a tight fit of the sectional matrix, the gingivectomy was performed with an electric surgical knife (Surtron 50D, LED SPA) (Fig. 5). The main advantages of a diathermal cut are instant tissue coagulation and hemostasis⁹.

Fig. 3. Bite-wing radiograph: Maxillary fist molar with an overhang and negative profile of the distal wall.

Fig. 4. Initial preparation with reduction of the cusps and exposure of gingiva.

Fig. 5. Gingivectomy performed using a surgical electric knife.

In accordance with the European Society of Endodontology’s guidelines on the management of deep caries¹⁰, the deepest part of the cavity was cleaned in full rubber dam isolation (Nic Tone Dental Dam, MDC Dental) (Fig. 6). Carious-tissue excavation was carried out using round burs, then the enamel and dentin were air-abraded with 50-μm aluminum oxide (Microetcher IIa, Danville). Multiple cracks, penetrating through the enamel and partially the dentin, occurred within the mesial and palatal walls. The presence of cracks crossing the dentin-enamel junction is an absolute indication to cuspal coverage^8,11.

An appropriate rubber dam isolation is essential in adhesive dentistry. Beyond the obvious advantage of a clean operation field uncontaminated by saliva and moisture, the rubber dam contributes to keeping periodontal tissues at a distance form a tooth. In order to ensure both, maximum retraction and sufficient space to work, the rubber dam was inverted (introduced to the gingival sulcus) and stabilized using PTFE tape (Fig. 7). The mesial wall was restored using a blue 3D Composite-Tight 3D Fusion matrix ring (Garrison) and a medium standard Sectional Contoured Metal Matrix (TOR VM, Fig. 8). Due to its extensiveness and shape, restoration of the distal wall was more difficult to perform.

Fig. 6. Rubber dam newly placed in the interproximal area. Full isolation is essential for the excavation of the infected dentin in the deepest part of the cavity.

Fig. 7. PTFE tape placement for improving isolation in the gingival area. Al₂O₃ sandblasting.

Fig. 8. Mesial matrix fit.

The first attempt to adapt an elongated Sectional Contoured Metal Matrix and the green 3D Composite-Tight 3D Fusion (Garrison) ended with failure (Fig. 9). The matrix was changed for a longer and more curved one (Fig. 10). The ring was replaced by a smaller Palodent V3 Ring (Dentsply Sirona, Fig. 11). Due to the depth of the carious lesion, an antibacterial adhesive system was used (CLEARFIL™ SE Protect, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.). It contains the MDPB monomer, which offers an antibacterial effect that lasts even after hybrid layer formation^12-14. Furthermore, the fluoride included in the bond liquid intensifies the cariostatic mechanism of CLEARFIL™ SE Protect and supports the so-called “Super Dentin” formation¹⁵.

Fig. 9. Insufficient fit of the distal matrix.

Fig. 10. New, longer and more curved matrix in place.

Fig. 11. Different matrix ring placed in the distal area.

After polymerization of the bonding agent, the nanohybrid flowable composite resin (CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow High, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.) was applied in a thin layer. The proximal wall was restored using both packable (CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.) and flowable composite resin (CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow Super Low, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.) (Figs. 12 and 13). Core build-up was performed with bulk-fill type composite. The cusps were reconstructed free-hand with the previously used CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal (Figs. 14 and 15). The universality of this product provides for a good optical integration and blending with the adjusted tissue, regardless of the colour of the underlying tooth structure. The fissures were gently highlighted using brown tints.

Fig. 12. Thin layer of flowable composite resin CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow High (A2) applied on the cavity floor. The proximal walls are built up with build-up by CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal and CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow Super Low (A2).

Fig. 13. Proximal walls build-up – palatal view.

Fig. 14. Core build-up. Free-hand cusp coverage with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal, palatal view.

Fig. 15. Cusp coverage – occlusal view.

The initial polishing was performed with the rubber dam still in place. The excesses of composite resin were removed with the aid of abrasive discs, diamond burs and a “Brownie” polisher (BAL, Nevadent). Pre-polishing and high-shine polishing were executed with TWIST™ DIA for Composite (Kuraray Europe GmbH.) supported by a goat hair brush (Micerium) (Figs. 16 to 17).

Fig. 16. Occlusal surface after surface modeling with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal and initial polishing.

Fig. 17. Occlusal surface after modeling with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal and initial polishing – palatal view.

After removal of the rubber dam, the occlusal contact points of the direct overlay were adjusted (Figs. 18 and 19). Every spot touched by the burr was subsequently repolished according to the previously described protocol (Figs. 20 and 21).

Fig. 18. Occlusal adjustment. Contact points recorded with articulation paper (100 μm).

Fig. 19. Occlusal adjustment. Contact points recorded with articulation paper (100 μm= and articulation foil (16 μm).

Fig. 20. Final effect after polishing with TWIST™ DIA for Composite.

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 21. Final effect – palatal view.

CONCLUSION

As a result of decades of improvements mainly with regard to the filler density and polishability, modern dental composites offer a great gloss retention and favourable wear properties. In addition, polymerization shrinkage has been decreased due to the integration of nanohybrid filler technology. Those features allow us to restore biomechanically compromised teeth using a direct restoration technique.

Direct overlays are a suitable alternative for a conventional indirect restoration in many situations.^18,19 According to researchers, the advantages of direct restorations with cuspal coverage include minimal tooth preparation, vital pulp-oriented treatment, the possibility to treat patients in a single appointment and a potentially lower cost of the treatment.^18-20 However, it should be emphasized that the presented technique requires advanced restorative skills that need to be acquired first before starting to implement it.

Dentist:

DR. ALEKSANDRA ŁYŻWIŃSKA
Warsaw, Poland

Dr. Aleksandra Łyżwińska is a restorative dentist. She graduated from the Warsaw Medical University in 2017, where she was an assistant professor at the Department of Conservative Dentisyty and Endodontics. Her focus lies in modern adhesive techniques, resin composites and biomaterials.

REFERENCES

1. Dietschi D, Duc O, Krejci I, Sadan A. Biomechanical considerations for the restoration of endodontically treated teeth: a systematic review of the literature--Part 1. Composition and micro- and macrostructure alterations. Quintessence Int. 2007 Oct;38(9):733-43.
2. van Dijken JW. Direct resin composite inlays/onlays: an 11 year follow-up. J Dent. 2000 Jul;28(5):299-306. doi: 10.1016/s0300-5712(00)00010-5. PMID: 10785294.
3. Mondelli RF, Ishikiriama SK, de Oliveira Filho O, Mondelli J. Fracture resistance of weakened teeth restored with condensable resin with and without cusp coverage. J Appl Oral Sci. 2009 May-Jun;17(3):161-5.
4. Deliperi S, Bardwell DN. Multiple cuspal-coverage direct composite restorations: functional and esthetic guidelines. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2008;20(5):300-8; discussion 309-12.
5. Deliperi S, Bardwell DN. Clinical evaluation of direct cuspal coverage with posterior composite resin restorations. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2006;18(5):256-65; discussion 266-7.
6. Mincik J, Urban D, Timkova S, Urban R. Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Maxillary Premolars Restored by Various Direct Filling Materials: An In Vitro Study. Int J Biomater. 2016;2016:9138945.
7. Reeh ES, Messer HH, Douglas WH. Reduction in tooth stiffness as a result of endodontic and restorative procedures. J Endod. 1989 Nov;15(11):512-6.
8. Banerji S, Mehta SB, Millar BJ. The management of cracked tooth syndrome in dental practice. Br Dent J. 2017 May 12;222(9):659-666.
9. Bashetty K, Nadig G, Kapoor S. Electrosurgery in aesthetic and restorative dentistry: A literature review and case reports. J Conserv Dent. 2009 Oct;12(4):139-44.
10. European Society of Endodontology (ESE) developed by:, Duncan HF, Galler KM, Tomson PL, Simon S, El-Karim I, Kundzina R, Krastl G, Dammaschke T, Fransson H, Markvart M, Zehnder M, Bjørndal L. European Society of Endodontology position statement: Management of deep caries and the exposed pulp. Int Endod J. 2019 Jul;52(7):923-934.
11. Lynch CD, McConnell RJ. The cracked tooth syndrome. J Can Dent Assoc. 2002 Sep;68(8):470-5.
12. Hashimoto M, Hirose N, Kitagawa H, Yamaguchi S, Imazato S. Improving the durability of resindentin bonds with an antibacterial monomer MDPB. Dent Mater J. 2018 Jul 29;37(4):620-627.
13. Imazato S, Kinomoto Y, Tarumi H, Torii M, Russell RR, McCabe JF. Incorporation of antibacterial monomer MDPB into dentin primer. J Dent Res. 1997 Mar;76(3):768-72.
14. Imazato S, Kinomoto Y, Tarumi H, Ebisu S, Tay FR. Antibacterial activity and bonding characteristics of an adhesive resin containing antibacterial monomer MDPB. Dent Mater. 2003 Jun;19(4):313-9.
15. Nakajima M, Okuda M, Ogata M, Pereira PN, Tagami J, Pashley DH. The durability of a fluoride-releasing resin adhesive system to dentin. Oper Dent. 2003 Mar-Apr;28(2):186-92.
16. Bore Gowda V, Sreenivasa Murthy BV, Hegde S, Venkataramanaswamy SD, Pai VS, Krishna R. Evaluation of Gingival Microleakage in Class II Composite Restorations with Different Lining Techniques: An In Vitro Study. Scientifica (Cairo). 2015;2015:896507.
17. Oficjalne informacje producenta Kuraray Noritake Dental https://www.kuraraynoritake.eu/pl/clearfil-majesty-es-flow (dostęp 08.02.2022).
18. Angeletaki F, Gkogkos A, Papazoglou E, Kloukos D. Direct versus indirect inlay/onlay composite restorations in posterior teeth. A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent. 2016 Oct;53:12-21.
19. Dhadwal AS, Hurst D. No difference in the long-term clinical performance of direct and indirect inlay/onlay composite restorations in posterior teeth. Evid Based Dent. 2017 Dec 22;18(4):121-122.
20. Banerji S, Mehta SB, Millar BJ. Cracked tooth syndrome. Part 2: restorative options for the management of cracked tooth syndrome. Br Dent J. 2010 Jun;208(11):503-14.
21. Opdam NJ, Roeters JJ, Loomans BA, Bronkhorst EM. Seven-year clinical evaluation of painful cracked teeth restored with a direct composite restoration. J Endod. 2008 Jul;34(7):808-11.
22. van Dijken JW. Direct resin composite inlays/onlays: an 11 year follow-up. J Dent. 2000 Jul;28(5):299-306.

The vacation period is over and we all are slowly returning back to our everyday routines and work. With all the travel and holidays in the last months you might have missed this great article in the LabLine Summer edition: Graftless solutions and implant-supported monolithic zirconia fixed prostheses.

It is an extensive, beautiful and detailed case report created and documented by team of well known and respected KOLs: Fortunato Alfonsi, Antonio Barone, Marco Stoppaccioli, Romeggio Stefano and Vincenzo Marchio.

Check it out by clicking here.

LAMINATE VENEER RESTORATION
USING LITHIUM DISILICATE

WITH PANAVIA™ Veneer LC (Clear)
Case by Yohei Sato (DMD, PhD) and Keisuke Ihara (CDT)

Fig. 1 The patient visited would like to have the a aesthetics
of the maxillary right and left lateral incisors improved.

Fig. 2 A silicon guide fabricated from a diagnostic wax model
was applied and the necessary clearances were determined.

Fig. 3 Since the lateral teeth are microdonts, the
preparation of each abutment was completed by simply
exposing a fresh enamel surface to be covered with
laminate veneers.

Fig. 4 A layer of porcelain was applied on the lithium
disilicate substrate, to complete the laminate veneers.

Fig. 5 The veneer was conditioned according to the
prosthesis‘ IFU. After trial fitting, the intaglio surface of the
laminate veneer was cleaned with KATANA™ Cleaner.

Fig. 6 CLEARFIL™ CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS was applied and
dried to prime the restoration.

Fig. 7 The preparation was cleaned with KATANA™ Cleaner.
Applied and rubbed for more than 10 seconds. Then, it
was washed off sufficiently (until the cleaner color had
completely disappeared), and dried with compressed air.

Fig. 8 K-ETCHANT Syringe was applied and left for 10
seconds before water-rinsing and compressed air-drying.

Fig. 9 PANAVIA™ V5 Tooth Primer was applied and left for 20
seconds before mild compressed-air drying.

Fig. 10 PANAVIA™ Veneer LC Paste was applied to the
intaglio surface of the laminate veneer.

Fig. 11 The laminate veneer was seated and the fit
checked. Then, the excess cement was tack-cured (not
more than 1 second at each point) and removed. Finally,
the restoration was light-cured and finished.

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 12 The laminate veneer restorations one month after
placement. The morphology and color of the right and
left lateral incisors have been improved, providing a good
balance to the entire anterior dentition.

LAMINATE VENEER RESTORATION
USING KATANA™ Zirconia STML

WITH PANAVIA™ Veneer LC (Clear)
Case by Yohei Sato (DMD, PhD) and Keisuke Ihara (CDT)

Fig. 1 The patient was referred by an orthodontist. The main
complaints were improper aesthetics of the teeth due to dark
triangles betwen the teeth and incisal wear.

Fig. 2 On the basis of the pre-treatment diagnosis using
a mockup, the teeth were prepared, with keeping in mind
that the enamel should be preserved to the maximal extent
possible.

Fig. 3 A fixation retainer was present at the palatal side,
making it difficult to take coventional silicon impressions.
Therefore, an intraoral scanner was used.

Fig. 4 A layer of porcelain was applied to each KATANA™
Zirconia STML laminate veneer to complete the restorations.
The inner surface of each restoration was sandblasted, being
careful to prevent chipping.

Fig. 5 After trial fitting, bonding inhibiting substances as
blood and saliva were removed using KATANA™ Cleaner.

Fig. 6 CLEARFIL™ CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS was applied and
dried using compressed air.

Fig. 7 The surface of each tooth was cleaned and treated
with K-ETCHANT Syringe for 10 seconds before washing it
away with water and drying with compressed air.

Fig. 8 PANAVIA™ V5 Tooth Primer was applied and left f

Fig. 9 PANAVIA™ Veneer LC Paste was applied and the
laminate veneers were seated. For this case, we placed six
veneers during one session.

Fig. 10 The unpolymerized excess paste was removed with
a brush according to the wet clean-up technique.

Fig. 11 The result after final light curing. Since the excess
cement was easily removed, there were almost no cement
residues.

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 12 Result one month after placement of the laminate
veneer restorations. The marginal gingiva has been improved
thanks to the good fit of the laminate veneer restorations.

Prosthodontic treatment concepts have evolved over the past decades. While some time ago, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and bridges were placed wherever a defect was too large for a direct restoration, the current trend is toward less invasive therapies with highly aesthetic, tooth-coloured materials.

These modern treatment concepts can lead to reliable outcomes when a high-performance resin cement system is used that establishes a durably strong bond to tooth structure on one side and the restoration on the other. The reason is that less invasive often means that restorations have minimal or no retentive elements and extremely thin walls, and a strong chemical bond is a mechanism that holds them in place over time. Depending on the type of restoration and area in the mouth, aesthetic properties of the cementation system are also extremely important, as the typically highly translucent, thin restorations tend to reveal the appearance of the structures underneath to a certain extent.

Universal cements

In the context of striving toward the streamlining of clinical procedures in restorative dentistry, several manufacturers have developed resins cements that work with fewer components and are suitable for a large number of indications. PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal is a popular example. The self-adhesive, dual-cure resin cement is the only product of its category that works as a standalone solution even on glass ceramics (without the need for a separate primer).

The need for specialists

There are specific clinical situations, however, that require more working time than a dual-cure resin cement can offer. This is the case whenever multiple non-retentive restorations are to be placed simultaneously, a technique that is recommended for veneers. The greatest benefits of placing the thin and highly aesthetic restorations at once lie in the proper positioning of the restorations and in the minimized risk of contamination: When the veneers are placed one after the other, a slightly malpositioned and already fixed veneer might hinder proper positioning of the adjacent restorations and haemorrhage occurring in the context of excess cement removal or finishing of the margin might contaminate the working field. When all veneers are placed simultaneously, repositioning is possible, while excess removal and polishing are accomplished in a moment when blood and debris will no longer endanger the integrity of the restorations, which increases the security during the whole procedure. This task is best fulfilled by a light-curing veneer specialist.

Handling of a thin ceramic veneer.

Required properties of veneers cements

Undoubtedly, the key feature of a specialist resin cement system is a long working time sufficient for simultaneous cementation of multiple restorations. In addition, its consistency and handling properties are also important as they can help users overcome the challenge of accurate positioning and reduce the time and effort involved in veneer placement. And finally, the system needs to provide excellent bond strength over time and support long-lasting aesthetics, properties valuable for every kind of resin cement, but the latter being particularly important for thin restorations in the aesthetic zone. Luckily, PANAVIA™ Veneer LC offers all those features.

The system consists of PANAVIA™ V5 Tooth Primer that establishes a strong bond to enamel and dentin, PANAVIA™ Veneer LC Paste as the cement and the CLEARFIL™ CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS that has been part of PANAVIA™ V5 cementation system. The latter is responsible for a high bond strength to all types of restorative materials.

Mastering the working time challenge

The light-curing cement paste offers a long working time of 200 seconds* due to its excellent stability under ambient light. As a consequence, dental practitioners may place multiple veneers simultaneously without having to race against setting. Polymerization may be started whenever the user is ready for it. The one-component self-etching tooth primer (PANAVIA™ V5 Tooth Primer) does not contain any photo initiators and does not cure alone. When applied, it etches and penetrates into the tooth surface for 20 seconds and is ready to bond strongly to PANAVIA™ Veneer LC Paste. The integrated touch-cure technology is the key feature safeguarding a high bond strength to tooth structure without shortening the working time.

*Working time under ambient light on PANAVIA™ V5 Tooth Primer (8000 Lux): 200 seconds

Providing for precise placement

In order to streamline the clinical seating procedure from cement application to polishing, PANAVIA™ Veneer LC has been equipped with a set of well-balanced handling properties. Newly developed spherical silica fillers in the cement provide that it stays put where applied, but flows well when the veneer is seated on the tooth – for easy placement without drifting or sagging. During application across the intaglio surface, the resin cement does not stick to the application tip, a property achieved by the addition of nanocluster filler technology. The special design of the syringe’s application tip optimizes control over the amount of cement applied. Ans last but not least, excess cement may be easily removed in one piece using an explorer after a one-second tack-cure, while polishing of the margins is quickly accomplished.

Hiding the margins

Being extremely thin, highly translucent and mainly used to restore teeth in the exposed anterior region of the maxilla, veneers have to be placed with a cement that is and remains undetectable underneath the restoration and at its margins. PANAVIA™ Veneer LC is available in four highly aesthetic shades with matching try-in pastes, so that a precise shade match with the restoration can be achieved and verified in the patient’s mouth. Additional features contributing to undetectable margins are the resin cement’s flowability and low film thickness: They enable users to easily produce an evenly distributed, thin cement layer for aesthetic outcomes. For those afraid that coffee, tea, acidic drinks or constant tooth brushing might reveal the margins over time, there is good news as well: PANAVIA™ Veneer LC offers a high polish retention and colour stability over time. The well-balanced formulation and the touch-cure technology are responsible for this resistance to discolouration.

Trusted expertise

All these beneficial features make PANAVIA™ Veneer LC worth testing. Additional arguments are the fact that its primers are tried and tested components of the highly popular PANAVIA™ V5 system and that Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. is a proven expert on adhesive products. It developed the original MDP Monomer in 1981 and introduced the first adhesive resin cement containing this monomer in 1983. Since then, the company has improved existing formulations and developed existing technologies that ultimately resulted in the current line-up of cementation solutions for every need and indication.

Excellent gloss retention is one of the properties providing for undetectable margins over time.

- A commemoration of the company’s 10th anniversary -

Kiyoyuki Arikawa

After graduating from Kyushu University Faculty of Agriculture, Mr. Kiyoyuki Arikawa joined Kuraray. He has been involved in the dental materials business since joining the company, and this year marks his 38th anniversary.

Initially, he led the planning and development of products from the head office, and has won Kuraray's Merit Award for three products, including CLEARFIL™ SE Bond. In addition, since 2006, he has managed the dental materials business as General Manager of each subsidiary in Europe and the United States.

After that, he returned to Japan and served as president of Kuraray Noritake Dental from 2014 to 2020. Currently, he has handed over the president to his junior and is working as CTO.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., I have been asked to write an article under the above title. Here in this article, I would like to write about my own impressions and some thoughts I had about the development and commercialization of various products I was directly engaged with. I was an employee of Kuraray before it was integrated with Noritake, so things described in this article will mainly be from the period during which I worked in the Dental Materials Division of Kuraray Co., Ltd. I would like to beg the readers' pardon for my failure to describe in detail Noritake Dental Supply’s products, which originated from that company’s brilliant history in the development and manufacture of dental materials.

PANAVIA™ - A PRODUCT DEVELOPED TO BECOME AN OUTSTANDING BRAND IN THE RESIN CEMENT MARKET

In August 1984, I was assigned to Kuraray’s Dental Materials Division. On that day, when I first came to the office, a celebration was being held in commemoration of PANAVIA™ EX, a dental resin cement released the previous year that had just received the President’s Prize. PANAVIA™ EX was launched with thorough preparation, as a genuine adhesive resin cement, after the company had completed the expansion of the CLEARFIL™ lineup (F, FII, Core, SC and Posterior) that it had begun designing in 1978. PANAVIA™ EX's characteristics, which enable the application of adhesive bridge technique (thanks to its strong adhesion to enamel), were particularly acclaimed by many users around the world, making it a smash-hit product.

Parallel with that great success, we focused on discovering the cause of pulpal stimulation, a problem that sometimes occurred when PANAVIA™ was applied to dentine for luting restorations, and we sought measures to prevent this problem. At first, PANAVIA™ was released with a recommendation to condition the dentine with phosphoric acid in order to increase the strength of its bond to the dentine. However, its highly-hydrophobic paste composition seemed to prevent the MDP monomer from delivering a sufficiently strong bond to dentine. In addition, it appears that the phosphoric acid treatment opened the dentinal tubules, leading to the occurrence of pulpal stimulation. We performed fact-finding surveys and held many conferences with university researchers to resolve this problem of pulpal stimulation. Among the temporary measures we made to prevent the occurrence of pulpal stimulation without changing the existing specifications of the product, we decided to recommend against conditioning the dentine with phosphoric acid, at least in Japan. With the health insurance reimbursement system supplying a good tailwind for PANAVIA™, the common understanding sprang up spontaneously in the dental materials market: "Cases requiring strong adhesion, such as adhesion bridges, should be cemented with PANAVIA™ and those which can be treated with general luting should be cemented with glass ionomer cements."

Since then, five improved versions of PANAVIA™ have been put on the market, to sweep the resin cement markets overseas as well as in Japan. The improvements were made mainly for the purposes of increasing the range of crown restorative materials -- for example to include precious metals and ceramics -- that can be treated with this product, and in order to improve handling ease in the clinical setting. Here, I would like to emphasize that what lay behind our endeavor to improve PANAVIA™ was "realizing a reliable general luting material". In pursuit of this goal, we focused on improving the product by causing the resin cement to make a strong bond to dentine through chemical polymerization. I think that those efforts of ours indeed contributed to the evolution of the PANAVIA™ brand.

The efforts we have made since the launch of PANAVIA™ back there in 1983 have now come to fruition as PANAVIA™ V5, PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal and, most recently, PANAVIA™ Veneer LC, a light-curing veneer cement with an extra-long working time. When we talk about its PANAVIA™, there is no avoiding mentioning the technologies behind those products, in particular, the development of the indispensable catalyst technology that was incorporated into them. Our catalyst technology is an excellent one that can also be applied to other products, and every day at our Niigata Development Department, R&D activities are still being carried out to improve it further.

Owing to our efforts, these days no complaints are ever heard about pulpal stimulation caused by PANAVIA™. On the other hand, in parallel with developments involving PANAVIA™, glass ionomer cements that have also evolved. These are also widely used and strongly supported by many users around the world.

Providing the characteristics glass ionomer users want is one of the directions we have followed, which has continued since the development of PANAVIA™.