With so many different adhesives, cements, and restorative materials available on the dental market, it seems difficult to decide which products are best suited to fulfill the individual requirements. A direct comparison obtained through testing of all products in the dental office is simply impossible due to the great number of available solutions. Laboratory investigations provide information about specific product properties, but usually cannot create the overall picture. Moreover, the results of different tests are barely comparable due to variations in test conditions. Clinical study results are very useful as they shed light on clinical (long-term) performance of selected materials, but they are usually published years after a product’s launch. Hence, they are not available in the early stages. A great source of information are practice-based evaluations, as they support potential users in identifying high-quality dental materials.

One of the institutions conducting and publishing practice-based clinical evaluations and product performance tests is the US-based DENTAL ADVISOR. Once per year, the dental materials and equipment with the best performance receive a Top Product or Preferred Product Award. The list of winners is published online (www.dentaladvisor.com) and in the January-February issue of the DENTAL ADVISOR. In 2021, numerous products from Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. were among the award winners.

Top Product Awards

CLEARFIL™ SE Protect received a Top Product Award in the category Direct Restoratives, Bonding Agent: Self-Etch. The self-etch adhesive is based on the formulation of the gold standard two-step self-etch adhesive CLEARFIL™ SE BOND but contains an extra MDPB monomer offering an antibacterial cavity-cleansing effect and fluoride for long-term fluoride release. The honoring of the DENTAL ADVISOR is based on a material test carried out by 13 DENTAL ADVISOR consultants and editors in their dental offices for six weeks. Due to its excellent performance, the antibacterial self-etch adhesive received a 98 percent clinical rating.

For the sixth year in a row, the Top Product Award in the category Direct Restoratives, Composite: Highly Filled Flowable went to CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow.

The universal flowable composite that also became the Editor’s Choice comes in three different levels of flowability, from high to super low*. This enables the user to choose the right viscosity for every clinical situation – with the high flowability variant being the perfect choice for cavity lining and as a resin coat in IDS procedures, and the super low flowability option being specifically suited for direct veneer procedures and even for build-up of posterior cusps etc. The universal flowable composite was tested by 29 consultants of the DENTAL ADVISOR in more than 900 clinical applications. The evaluated properties – placement/handling, aesthetics, viscosity and polishability – were rated “excellent”. This led to a recommendation rate of 100 percent and a 98 percent overall clinical rating.

^{*DENTAL ADVISOR evaluated only the standard level of flowability (Low), because other two variants are not available in US.}

A product that earned recognition from the Dental Advisor for the seventh time already is TEETHMATE™ DESENSITIZER for hypersensitivity treatment.

The product that won a Top Product Award this year was designed to create hydroxyapatite (HAp), which is able to occlude open dentinal tubules and enamel cracks. This leads to a significant reduction of hypersensitivities when applied to exposed, mechanically treated or freshly prepared dentin. When used in the context of restorative treatment, TEETHMATE™ DESENSITIZER does not have a negative effect on the bond strength of dental adhesives or cements. A six-month clinical evaluation conducted by the DENTAL ADVISOR involving 27 patients with gingival recession-related hypersensitivity revealed that the use of the product is very effective in providing immediate and even long-term (six-months) hypersensitivity relief. This resulted in an excellent rating with a score of 96 percent.

In the category Self-Adhesive Cement, an additional Top Product Award went to PANAVIA™ SA Cement Plus. The dual-cure self-adhesive resin cement stands out due to its ease of use, favorable viscosity and an easy excess removal feature after tack-curing.

Preferred Products

Among the 2021 Preferred Products that also received an Editor’s Choice label is PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal. The Top Product Award winning self-adhesive universal resin cement from 2020 contains the unique LCSi monomer. This monomer is a silane coupling agent, which has a unique long carbon chain in its molecule. This carbon chain establishes a durable, chemical bond with porcelain, lithium disilicate and composite resin without the need for a separate silane containing primer. The other key technology present in the formulation is the original MDP monomer, which ensures chemical reactiveness with zirconia, dentin and enamel. Together, the technologies ensure that PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal produces a strong and durable bond with virtually every restorative material without the need for a separate primer. Its handling characteristics, aesthetics and gingival friendliness received very good to excellent ratings from 31 clinical evaluators, who used the cement in 516 applications. The result of the overall clinical rating was 96 percent.

Moreover, CLEARFIL™ Universal Bond Quick was honored as a Preferred Product by the Dental Advisor consultants for the second consecutive year.

The universal bonding agent may be applied using the self-etch technique or – together with K-ETCHANT syringe – in the selective enamel etch or total-etch technique. Containing our rapid bond technology – a combination of the original MDP monomer with innovative hydrophilic amide monomers – the adhesive works instantly and without the need for extended exposure times, application of multiple layers or extensive rubbing into the tooth structure. The fast and easy application procedure was one of the main reasons for the consultants of the DENTAL ADVISOR to select CLEARFIL™ Universal Bond Quick as a Preferred Product and Editor’s Choice with a 98 percent score in a clinical evaluation.

Finally, CLEARFIL™ CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS became a Preferred Product in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and an Editor’s Choice in 2021. It contains the original MDP monomer and a silane monomer, which ensure excellent bond strength to all kinds of restorative materials, i.e., to silica-based ceramics, zirconia, composites and even metals. Users benefit from procedural simplicity as the product is just applied and dried to the bonding surface after the recommended pretreatment. In a clinical evaluation, the product received a recommendation rate of 96 percent and a 96 percent overall score from the DENTAL ADVISOR consultants.

Conclusion

Most of the Kuraray Noritake Dental products that received an award this year are based on resin technologies, one of our key competencies. In the 1980s, we developed the original MDP monomer, a functional monomer, which is an essential component of any adhesive product we introduced down to the present day, including the award-winning CLEARFIL™ SE Protect, PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal, CLEARFIL™ Universal Bond Quick and CLEARFIL™ CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS. This is only one of our many areas of expertise. We also provide users with preventive products and a whole range of restorative materials – from composite filling materials like CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow to dental ceramics like KATANA™ Zirconia UTML, STML and HTML. We see the winning of the awards as a positive proof of a reliable product performance that supports dental practitioners in reaching their own goals.

Interview with Dr Imad Ghandour

In recent years, zirconia has emerged as the preferred choice for dentists who wish to perform restorative procedures with a reliable and metal-free material. With the recent development of multi-layered aesthetic high-translucency options, zirconia’s popularity has further increased. In comparison to the opaque whiteness of older generations of zirconia, these newer versions have an enhanced appearance and functionality that makes them suitable for natural-looking anterior restorations.

Kuraray Noritake Dental’s KATANA Zirconia disc range is made with a proprietary zirconia powder - processed in-house - that gives it its natural appearance. Suitable for zirconia prostheses, from single crown to full arch, it is an ideal option for restorations in both the anterior and posterior regions. We spoke with Dr Imad Ghandour, a prosthodontist with a strong scientific background and a private practice in Le Cannet in France, about his experiences with the KATANA Zirconia range in restorative procedures.

Dr Ghandour, when did you first start using zirconia as a material for your restorations?

In 1998, when I was still sintering manually, I began using zirconia alumina. It was nice to have an alternative to metal alloys that was much more aesthetic. From 2003, however, I started with VITA blocks, but only for frameworks - I would still build up with ceramics. Now, with so much of dentistry being digitally focused, there is a need for a material that can be milled without changing anything in the morphology of the teeth. Why? Because we need to be able to reproduce the treatment plan as accurately as possible. Simply put, the KATANA Zirconia range solves this need for me.

With respect to dentistry being digitally focused, how has this changed the role of the dentist regarding performing restorative procedures?

Well, it is clear that we have entered the age of digital dentistry. Around 80 per cent of restorations are conducted via CAD/CAM systems and without dentists even touching the materials themselves. There are great advances being made in the technologies that are available for everyday use in dental practices worldwide, and many of them can be used to assist dentists performing restorative procedures. It is important, though, to keep in mind that these technological advancements alone will not lead to better results - they should supplement the requisite hands-on skills and techniques that all dentists must first learn. With this base of fundamentals, we can then use digital dentistry to make restorative procedures more predictable and reproducible. Of course, to ensure the best results in restorative procedures, dentists also need to use the materials that have the best aesthetic and mechanical properties.

For how long have you been using Kuraray Noritake Dental’s KATANA Zirconia range, and what has your experience been?

I have been using KATANA Zirconia for a little bit more than one year. In that time, I have primarily used the KATANA Zirconia STML (Super Translucent Multi Layered) line and have been pleasantly surprised by how natural-looking the restorations I have made with the material are. For example, when I sinter a crown made of Katana Zirconia STML, I am amazed at how much the sintered material is reminiscent of a pearl - it truly brings to mind the idea of one’s teeth being one’s pearly whites.

When using KATANA, how do you ensure that you select the correct shade to achieve a natural look?

Firstly, no one - not a dentist nor a dental technician - can be absolutely certain that the shade and chroma of the restoration that is in one’s hand will be the same once it is in position in the oral cavity. This is due to the complexities of the oral environment - the pinkness of the gingivae, for one, can have a large impact on how the restoration appears, often making it seem far duller than it does in the light of a dental laboratory. This can cause dental practitioners to compensate and make prostheses that appear far brighter than they will when they are in place.

With a product like KATANA and its related glazing materials, however, I can create crowns and other restorations that have an optimal fluorescence and translucency and are able to maintain their shading better than any other ceramic material I have used. I am able to select a shade with the confidence that it will look exactly the same once placed inside the mouth, with its chroma remaining unabsorbed by the gingiva. Achieving a natural look, then, depends on choosing a shade that is as close to that of the surrounding dentition as possible. Since KATANA Zirconia UTML (Ultra Translucent Multi Layered) is available in 16 standard shades and a further four enamel shades, there is no shortage of options in this regard.

How does the multi-layered technology of KATANA Zirconia help you to achieve optimal and natural-looking aesthetic results?

Well, firstly, the layering of the material is designed to replicate the colour and translucency progression of natural teeth, which allows for restorations to blend in as much as possible. This multi-layered technology has also proved itself to be very handy when I am sintering crowns made of KATANA Zirconia. Simply put, if one sinters a crown quickly, it will be a little more opaque. If one sinters it at a higher temperature and quite slowly, it will be much more translucent. The multi-layered aspect of KATANA Zirconia is excellent in that it gives me the ability to make restorations more or less translucent depending on what is required.

With 40 years of success in the commercial dental products market, Kuraray Noritake Dental has firmly established its commitment to providing leading-edge solutions for adhesive dentistry. The 1983 introduction of the PANAVIA™ EX resin cement, which utilized Kuraray’s original MDP monomer technology, set the industry standard for adhesion and has continued to do so for over 30 years since. With PANAVIA™ V5, and PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal which is the latest addition to PANAVIA™ family, Kuraray Noritake Dental presents a pair of resin cements designed for strong, durable bonding for zirconia-based and other restorations.

PANAVIA™ V5

PANAVIA™ V5 is a resin cement with exceptional procedural simplicity and predictability. It sets a new standard for adhesion to the KATANA™ Zirconia Block or other zirconia, allowing for self-cure dentine bond strengths equal to our gold-standard light-cure bonding agent, CLEARFIL™ SE BOND. PANAVIA™ V5 offers natural aesthetic stability in shading through its amine-free paste, which is available in five shades and has been scientifically proven to demonstrate a lower level of post-curing colour variance than other cements.

PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal

PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal is a forerunner in self-adhesive resin cements that adheres virtually to all materials including glass ceramics. The original silane coupling agent, LCSi monomer, incorporated in the paste creates a strong chemical bond to porcelain, lithium disilicate and composite resin. Available in an automix or handmix option, its high concentration of MDP monomer allows for increased chemical reactiveness with zirconia, which, combined with mechanical retention created by sandblasting, has been demonstrated as crucial for durable bonding to this material. Building upon the success of our PANAVIA™ SA Cement Plus, it offers a wide range of indications for adhesion and is suitable for crowns/bridges, inlays/onlays, posts, and even adhesion bridges.

Case by Aleksandra Łyżwińska, DMD

This clinical case concerns a patient with a lesion on the occluso-distal aspect of the mandibular left first premolar. We opted for a direct treatment approach with a combination of flowable and high-viscosity composite resin (CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow - Super Low A2, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Classic A2). In order to establish a strong bond between the tooth structure and the restorative material, we decided to selectively etch the enamel and then apply a clinically proven self-etch adhesive (CLEARFIL™ SE BOND 2).

Fig. 1. Initial clinical situation.

Fig. 2. Appearance of the premolar after caries removal.

Fig. 3. Placement of a sectional matrix for anatomical shaping, the establishing of tight interproximal contacts and protection of the adjacent tooth.

Fig. 4. Appearance of the tooth structure after selective enamel etching.

Fig. 5. Interproximal wall built up with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Classic (A2 shade) and cavity filled with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow - Super Low A2.

Fig. 6. After initial polishing.

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 7. Occlusal view of the treatment outcome after finishing and polishing.

Fig. 8. Follow up after 1 week.

Dentist:

ALEKSANDRA ŁYŻWIŃSKA
Warsaw, Poland

Aleksandra Łyżwińska, DMD, is a passionate aesthetic and adhesive dentist. Driven by Evidence Based Dentistry, her goal includes using modern composite materials and bonding agents in her clinical practise. In addition to her primary job, she worked as a lecturer and an assistant professor at the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics of Medical University of Warsaw, her alma mater.

Case by Dr. Michał Pokojski

Universal resin composites with a simplified shade concept are popular as they streamline direct restoration procedures. Unfortunately, many of the available products that claim to blend in well with the surrounding tooth structure independent of its shade need a blocker or opaquer to mask dark areas. According to Kuraray Noritake Dental, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal is different. This is why I decided to test its Universal shade (U) designed for all kinds of restorations in the posterior region in the context of replacing an amalgam restoration.

The restoration that needed to be replaced due to secondary caries was located in the maxillary molar region of a male patient. As usual under amalgam restorations, the remaining healthy tooth structure showed some discolouration. The cavity was prepared, the enamel etched and the whole bonding surface treated with CLEARFIL™ SE Bond. Subsequently, the restoration was built up using CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal in several layers. For a natural appearance, some brown tint was added to the fissures before finishing and polishing. The restoration shows a natural integration into the surrounding structure and is able to mask the discolouration on the cavity floor.

Fig. 1. Pre-operative image showing the amalgam restorations to be replaced.

Fig. 2. Appearance of the tooth after removal of the amalgam, caries excavation and cavity preparation.

Fig. 3. Tooth built up with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal (U shade).

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 4. Immediate treatment outcome.

Dentist:

DR. MICHAŁ POKOJSKI

Dr. Michał Pokojski is a graduate of the Medical University of Łódź, Poland. He maintains his private practice in Starachowice, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. His passion is endodontics and esthetic conservative dentistry. In his everyday duties microscope and camera are his main tools to provide his patients with professional and precise procedures and to ensure proper level of communication and understanding. His practice was guided by EBD from the very beginning, because in his opinion knowledge, scientific facts and dedication for what you do are the fundamentals of medicine and dentistry as well. His goal is to treat patients at the highest level of quality using the best available materials, instruments and procedures. His cases are well-known in the world thanks to modern ways of communication like Facebook and Instagram.

Clinical case by Dr Salvatore Scolavino

This video illustrates the recontouring treatment with dental light-cured restorative composite CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES-2.

Dentist:

DR SALVATORE SCOLAVINO

• Specialist in Asthetic Dentistry from Naples, Italy
• Member of the Styleitaliano group which focuses on minimally invasive dentistry techniques
• Private practice in Nola (NA)
• Active member SIDOC (Italian Society of Conservative Dentistry), IAED (Italian Academy of Esthetic Dentistry)
• Author and co-author of scientific publications on national and international journals
• Lecturer in national and international congresses and events

Case by Dr Adrien Lavenant

Introduction

The patient consulted for a follow-up examination and presented with recurrent caries at the maxillary right first molar. A direct treatment with composite needed to be performed. We decided to use Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.´s CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal composite for several reasons: the efficiency of the treatment, favourable handling properties and ease of use.

The clinical case illustrations below show the step-by-step approach carried out during a 30-minute treatment session.

Fig. 1. Initial situation showing an occlusal caries lesion on the maxillary right first molar.

Fig. 2. Pre-operative X-ray.

Fig. 3. Isolation of the working field with rubber dam.

Fig. 4. Situation after caries excavation and tissue preparation.

Fig. 5. Cavity ready for the application of the universal composite: CLEARFIL™ Universal Bond Quick is visible on dentin and enamel and the cavity floor is covered by a thin layer of CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow Low.

Fig. 6. Appearance of the tooth after buildup of the restoration with several layers of CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal composite (in the shade U developed for the posterior area).

Fig. 7. Stains applied in the occlusal fissures ensure an even more natural appearance.

Fig. 8. Final result after polishing with CLEARFIL™ Twist DIA and checking of the occlusion.

Fig. 9. Final result immediately after rubber dam removal.

Fig. 10. Post-operative X-ray.

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 11. Check-up after 15 days with rehydrated dental tissues.

Dentist:

DR ADRIEN LAVENANT

Dr Adrien Lavenant obtained his DDS degree at the University of Aix-Marseille in 2010. He pursued his post-graduate education in the field of periodontology, restorative and aesthetic dentistry (University Aix-Marseille and Paris).

Dr Lavenant is a former member of the teaching staff of the University of Aix-Marseille since 2011 and he continues to teach in the postgraduate program in restorative and aesthetic dentistry.

Since 2010, he owns a private practice in Aix-en-Provence specialised in restorative, prosthetic and aesthetic implant dentistry. He has been part of the international Bio-emulation group since 2019 and shares his philosophy of patient care in accordance with the principles of biomimetic dentistry.

Case by Dr. Max Andrup

This patient presented with a fractured amalgam restoration in the occlusal aspect of the mandibular right first molar. The cavity was shallow resulting in a very favourable C-factor. The C-factor describes the relationship between bonded and unbonded restorative material surfaces and is used as an indicator for polymerization shrinkage stress development in a cavity. Hence, it is essential to manage this factor when working with resin composites.

Fig. 1. Initial situation with the fractured amalgam restoration. In the distal aspect of the restoration, some recurrent decay is also visible.

Fig. 2. First molar ready for a new restoration after removal of the amalgam and bevelling of the enamel.

Fig. 3. Selective etching of the enamel prior to the application of CLEARFIL™ SE Protect into the cavity. Selective etching is performed in order to maximize the bond strength to enamel (by etching) and to dentin (without etching).

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 4. Final situation after restoration of the cavity with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal in the shade U developed for posterior restorations. The favourable C-factor and the fact that the polymerization shrinkage stress produced by the selected material is very low provide the conditions for a good long-term behaviour of the new restoration.

Dentist:

Dr. Max Andrup graduated from the University of Umeå in 2010 and today runs his private practice in the city of Hudiksvall, Sweden. He has a passion for restorative dentistry with a biomimetic approach.

Case by Dr. Michał Pokojski

When restoring primary carious lesions in the posterior area with composite, I wish to use a material that allows me to produce high-quality outcomes in an efficient procedure. The most important qualities of the restoration are its perfect marginal integrity and reliable long-term behaviour, which set the stage for a long and healthy life of the otherwise healthy tooth.

Reliability paired with ease of use is what I expected from the selected material combination: CLEARFIL™ SE Bond 2, a popular self-etch adhesive containing the original MDP monomer, and CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal. According to Kuraray Noritake Dental, the innovative resin composite comes with a universal shade concept and mechanical properties such as shrinkage, wear resistance and colour stability similar to those of proven CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ products. As a single shade is available for the posterior region, the need for shade determination is eliminated, which allows the dental practitioner to focus on the clinical work steps. In this case, a small primary defect in a third molar was restored. The outcome speaks for itself.

Fig. 1. Situation during cavity preparation revealing the carious lesion.

Fig. 2. Prepared cavity after the application of the bonding agent.

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 3. Treatment outcome with the composite harmoniously integrated into the surrounding structure.

Dentist:

DR. MICHAŁ POKOJSKI

Dr. Michał Pokojski is a graduate of the Medical University of Łódź, Poland. He maintains his private practice in Starachowice, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. His passion is endodontics and esthetic conservative dentistry. In his everyday duties microscope and camera are his main tools to provide his patients with professional and precise procedures and to ensure proper level of communication and understanding. His practice was guided by EBD from the very beginning, because in his opinion knowledge, scientific facts and dedication for what you do are the fundamentals of medicine and dentistry as well. His goal is to treat patients at the highest level of quality using the best available materials, instruments and procedures. His cases are well-known in the world thanks to modern ways of communication like Facebook and Instagram.

CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal Composite

A smart and easy-to-use system that works for the vast majority of your daily cases

Webinar to learn how intelligent simplification benefits your daily work. Discover MAJESTY ES-2 Universal, a smart and easy-to-use system that will work for the vast majority of your daily cases. Its light-cure, radiopaque restorative material provides accurate color matching, high polishability and excellent physical properties. This makes the product ideal for both anterior and posterior restorations.

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.