By Irfan Abas
Dental implantologist & restorative dentist

Irfan Abas is a specialist in the field of oral implantology & restorative dentistry and an international speaker on the subject. He has given more than 20 presentations, workshops and live surgery courses throughout the world. TP - a dutch dental magazine, of which he is also editor, has published multiple articles under his name. Another highlight is a publication in the NTvT, in collaboration with Prof. Gert Meijer (Radboud UMC), under whose supervision Abas successfully completed the four-year postdoctoral training Reconstructive Dentistry in 2014. He is also an instructor and lecturer for the AAIE and chair of MINEC Netherlands. Irfan Abas has his own practice in Bussum, the Netherlands (tandartsabas.nl).

A healthy 42 year-old male patient requested reconstruction of his central incisors, which were badly worn.

Pre-Treatment

After producing the mock-up, grooves were prepared through the mock-up.

To fit two lithium disilicate veneers, a preparation of 1 mm was required. After removing the mock-up, the preparation was perfected.

Checking the space using a silicone mold.

Definitive preparation (frontal)

Temporary veneers made from temporary resin based material (Protemp)

Spot-etching before bonding the temporary veneers in place.

A small amount of flowable composite applied to the etched surfaces.

Light curing the entire surface of the temporary veneers.

Finished temporary veneers.

The veneers constructed by the dental technician.

Checking the fit of the veneers

Rubber dam fitted to enable controlled adhesive cementation.

Etching with 35% phosphoric acid K-Etchant Syringe for 10 seconds.

Treatment with selfetching primer PANAVIA™ V5 Tooth Primer (left on for 20 sec.)

Etching of the lithium disilicate veneers with hydrogen fluoride.

Clearfil Ceramic Primer Plus MDP-silane primer applied to the veneers.

Veneers secured to a placement instrument before definitive cementation

PANAVIA V5 Paste applied to the inner surface of the veneer.

PANAVIA V5 Paste spread over the veneer.

Veneer fitted and excess removed.

Light curing (minimum 10 sec.).

Immediately after the adhesive cementation with PANAVIA V5.

Immediately post-op.

Immediately post-op.

Two months post-op.

One year post-op.

One year post-op.

NOW 18 Minutes Sintering using the CEREC SpeedFire

KATANA™ Zirconia Block, the innovative multi-layered zirconia block^*1, can be used with Dentsply Sirona's CEREC system^*2. Now the 18 minutes sintering program^*3 is developed and installed into CEREC SpeedFire. New sintering technology makes it possible to fabricate full zirconia restoration in approx. 35 minutes.

An ideal composite material should satisfy three basic requirements: function, aesthetics and biocompatibility. A member of the CLEARFIL MAJESTY family, Kuraray Noritake Dental’s CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow combines excellent handling, polishability and mechanical strength to provide a solution for all cavity classes. This universal flowable composite employs silane and filler technologies to maximise both its procedural and aesthetic outcomes, allowing dentists to create long-lasting restorations with reduced chairside time.

A new standard for flowable composites

Traditionally, a composite’s flowability has been inversely related to its filler content. When flowable composites were first introduced in the mid-1990s, their lower viscosity was enabled by a filler level much lower than that of conventional composites. This, however, meant that these flowables fared poorly in a clinical setting, demonstrating inferior mechanical properties when compared to traditional hybrid composites.

With CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow, dentists can now use a flowable composite with mechanical properties comparable to those of conventional alternatives. Thanks to Kuraray Noritake Dental’s silane technology, millions of submicron filler particles fit into the composite, reliably adhering to the resin and maintaining long-term stability. CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow possesses a scientifically tested flexural strength of over 150 MPa, similar to that of a universal nano hybrid composite, making it suitable for use in Class I and II restorations.

Aesthetic restorations

However, the small, durable particles of CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow provide more than just mechanical reliability. Special cluster fillers provide a light diffusion effect that is similar to that of natural teeth, meaning that the material blends effortlessly with the existing tooth structure. Unlike other flowables, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow is glossy immediately after curing. This gloss can be improved with remarkable simplicity—simply wipe the cured resin with an ethanol-moistened gauze or cotton roll to produce a smooth surface that is proven to maintain its gloss over time.

Ideal handling

CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow’s low viscosity monomers ensure that it has excellent handling characteristics, promising better sculpting for the dentist. The flowable composite does not stick to the needle tip or to any instruments, only adhering to the area to which it is applied, while the proprietary design of the syringe itself minimises air bubbles when dispensing. Once dispensed, the paste possesses great consistency with its non-slumping formula, ensuring that it can maintain its shape. A truly universal composite, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow allows dentists to create highly aesthetic restorations with ease.

Obtain results in four simple steps

Creating aesthetic and durable restorations has never been more achievable. Simply prepare the cavity and apply bonding, dispense and sculpt the CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow, light-cure and, finally, polish. It’s as easy as that.

This year marks the 40th year of Kuraray's entry into the commercial dental products market. This edition of the BOND is fully dedicated to celebrating our unique position in modern dentistry.

We post the BOND here for your convenience; Enjoy!

BOND | VOLUME 4 | 06/2018

Previous versions:

BOND | VOLUME 3 | 10/2017

BOND | VOLUME 2 | 04/2017

BOND | VOLUME 1 | 12/2016

DENTAL ADVISOR SIX-MONTH PROGRESS REPORT

Summary
Over a six-month period, 96 restorations were placed. The clinical performance at the time of placement was excellent for esthetics, handling, ease of adjustment, and ease of finish/polish. There were no reports of post-operative sensitivity or debonding. Based on the placement period, CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick with CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow received a clinical performance rating of 100%.

Description:

CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow is a light-cured, universal flowable composite.

It contains submicron fillers that are treated with a proprietary silane

coupling agent to provide for low shrinkage and high mechanical

properties. The submicron fillers and high filler load provide for esthetics.

CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick is a single-bottle, universal bonding agent

that contains a novel rapid bond technology and releases fluoride. It is

compatible with total-, self- and selective-etch techniques and with light-,

self- and dual-cured materials (with CLEARFIL DC Activator).

Clinical Evaluation Protocol (Six Months):

A total of 96 CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick with CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES

Flow restorations were placed in 44 molars, 26 premolars and 26 anterior

teeth (Figure 1). The classification of restorations was recorded as 44 Class

I, 7 Class II, 1 Class III, 30 Class V, and 14 Class VI restorations (Figure 2).

Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.

Results at Six Months:

There were no reports of post-operative sensitivity for CLEARFIL Universal

Bond Quick with CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow. All 96 restorations received

excellent ratings of five for esthetics, handling, ease of adjustment, and

ease of finish/polish (Figure 3). No debonding was observed.

All restorations were evaluated at placement in the following areas: lack
of post-operative sensitivity, esthetics, handling, ease of adjustment, and
ease of finish/polish. Restorations were evaluated on a 1-5 rating scale:
1 = poor, 2 = fair, 3 = good, 4 = very good, 5 = excellent.

Consultants’ Comments
• “I love flowables - CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow is in a class of its own.”
• “I use CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow regularly in areas of incipient decay
- flows well, very esthetic and polishes easily.”
• “CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow is my go-to flowable to repair small chips
in anterior teeth. It blends seamlessly with the tooth.”
• “Great to use in abfraction areas in conjunction with CLEARFIL
Universal Bond Quick. CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow bonds well and is
very easy to finish and polish. Patients love the outcome.”

“The multi-layered aspect of KATANA Zirconia is excellent”

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.

PANAVIA and KATANA: The perfect combination

Scientific research has demonstrated that, when bonding zirconia, optimal bond values can only be achieved with resin cements—specifically, MDP monomer-based resin cements. With PANAVIA V5, we offer a dual-cure resin cement with dentine bond strengths equal to our gold standard light-cure bonding agent CLEARFIL SE BOND, even when used in self-cure mode. Through our KATANA Zirconia range, Kuraray Noritake Dental presents a ceramic material for restorative procedures that has excellent translucency and shade options. Together, PANAVIA V5 and KATANA Zirconia make an ideal team for durable and reliable indirect restorations.

PANAVIA V5

In 1983, Kuraray introduced its patented MDP monomer in PANAVIA EX cement. With its clinically proven adhesion, our PANAVIA family has set the industry standard for adhesion for over 30 years. As the newest addition to the PANAVIA cement line, PANAVIA V5 provides strong bonding not just to zirconia but to hydroxyapatite and metals as well. Unlike other dual-cure resin cements, PANAVIA V5 offers improved bond strength to all tooth structures. Simple to use and with predictable results, PANAVIA V5 is unique in its user friendliness and procedural consistency. 

KATANA Zirconia

Our KATANA Zirconia discs are processed using a proprietary zirconia powder, allowing it to have as natural a translucency and colour as possible. The KATANA range consists of several options designed for full-contour zirconia prostheses, from single crown to full arch: KATANA Zirconia UTML (Ultra Translucent Multi Layered), STML (Super Translucent Multi Layered), ML (Multi Layered) and HT (High Translucent). The multilayered build-up of KATANA Zirconia STML provides a translucency and chroma that gradually decrease from the cervical to incisal regions, just like natural dentition. KATANA Zirconia UTML is perfect for anterior restorations, such as veneers, owing to its natural translucency and colour gradient. With a flexural strength considerably higher than that of lithium disilicate, KATANA Zirconia has the mechanical and aesthetic properties to achieve well-balanced restorations between natural teeth in the anterior zone.

An ideal team

PANAVIA V5 provides a strong and durable bond between KATANA Zirconia-based restorations and the tooth structure. PANAVIA V5 resin cement offers optimal margins and predictable restorations. Always use PANAVIA V5 Tooth Primer for the pretreatment of the tooth and CLEARFIL CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS for the priming of the restoration.

“We’re thrilled by the possibilities presented from the combination of PANAVIA V5 and KATANA Zirconia,” said Mitsuru Takei, Head of Technical Services at Kuraray Europe. “Together, they make achieving natural-looking restorations easier than ever.”

With a career spanning over two decades and a profound interest in the use and possibilities of adhesives, dental surgeon Dr Fabrice Gambier is the perfect person to speak with when looking back at the evolution of adhesives and the techniques in applying them. Brenda van de Watering, Sales and Marketing Manager of Kuraray Europe France met Dr. Gambier in Paris at the 2017 Association Dentaire Française meeting to discuss these topics, as well as the advantages of Kuraray Noritake Dental’s latest CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick adhesive.

1/ Brenda Van de Watering: Hello, Dr. Gambier. Perhaps you would like to introduce yourself and tell us a little about your career to date?

Dr. Gambier: Next year will mark 25 years since I joined a practice near Toulon, in Six-Fours-les-Plages, a fine surgery which has grown steadily. In January 2018, we will have 12 practitioners; when I arrived in ’93, there were just four of us. Gradually, with increased patient numbers and patient loyalty, plus our continuous attention to the quality of patient care, the practice has indeed expanded.

As far as Kuraray is concerned, I have been using your products for a long time. I have known Christophe Commaux for some years and he has always provided me with excellent information on your products. And then, there is your literature and the scientific studies.

2/ What has been your experience with “Universal” adhesives in general?

In my practice, I have always been a great devotee of adhesive techniques. Just quoting from memory, twenty years ago, I was even using bonding adhesives on amalgams when working on extensive reconstructions. I progressed to direct composite restorations, having abandoned silver amalgams at least fifteen years ago now, so I have certainly become familiar with various generations of adhesives. The first of your products which I used was the first PANAVIA. At that time, I was also using CLEARFIL SE BOND.

Over time, again from memory, I moved on to Scotchbond, a 3-step total-etching system from 3M, to Excite F and Scotchbond 1, 2-step total-etching systems, then a 2-step self-etching system AdheSE from Ivoclar Vivadent, and finally, a 1-step self-etching system from Kuraray, CLEARFIL S3 Bond, which I found effective for fast enamel etching.

For adhesive bonding in my indirect restorative work, I prefer to use your PANAVIA V5.

Recently, having finished my last bottle of CLEARFIL S3 Bond Plus, I finally moved on to CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick, which is a very good product. The universal adhesives are attractive and efficient and that is why I use them with a carefully applied, specific technique.

3/ In your experience, what are the most frequent mistakes found in the use of adhesives?

It’s just where directions for usage are not properly followed. I think this is really important and, from time to time, even if I am very familiar with a product, I will re-read the directions for use. It is easy to make a change to one of the stages, believing it to be for the best, only to reduce the effectiveness of the product. Although, I must admit that it is difficult to skip any of the stages now, as the method has been simplified.

As far as I am concerned, the simplified technique is an advantage and certainly, there is always the question of whether or not to use etching, depending on the surface. With CLEARFIL S3 Bond Plus, I used to etch for about two seconds on unprepared enamel. I have even adapted the application of the adhesive; instead of leaving it to act for 10 seconds, I massaged for 10 seconds and then I left it to act for 10 seconds. In my opinion, this optimised the bonding. With Universal, I have retained the etching application time, but for the adhesive, I massage for 5 seconds and then leave it to act for 5 seconds.

4/ Do you think that universal adhesives represent the way forward for modern restorative dentistry?

Yes, of course, since current modern dentistry favours adhesive dentistry and whether it is direct or indirect, it is far preferable and less disfiguring orally.

5/ CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick is the latest version of adhesives from Kuraray Noritake. What do you see as the main advantages of this product?

There are many advantages. Firstly, with regard to ergonomics, the simplified technique and the fact that it can be universally applied means you need fewer products, fewer bottles in our basins or in the fridge; speed of application with scientifically proven effective adhesion; the simplified technique avoids any mistakes in handling. Then, compared to your product, the MDP together with a hybrid monomer, this enables better dental impregnation and some tolerance to humidity. Having said that, some care must be taken; attention must be paid to eliminate any saliva. There is also the extended durability period. Finally, it is compatible with the dual-cure products from Kuraray, without the need for a dual-cure activator. There are really many advantages.

6/ What kinds of restorative work do you use this adhesive for?

At the moment, mainly for direct restorations; I have not yet tried it for indirect work. I know that the CLEARFIL DC Core Plus is very good, but I have an indirect bonding technique with PANAVIA V5 and I am still working with carbon fibre posts, because for the last 10 or 15 years, I have had no problem with them. When I have direct access for photo-polymerisation, I use CLEARFIL PHOTO CORE, which enables polymerisation beyond 5 mm and, if not, I use LuxaCore.

When I need an adhesive bond for zirconia, I use the PANAVIA procedure. For some time, I used PANAVIA SA Cement Plus, even for inlays. Veneers are sintered and in such cases, my laboratory follows the Vivadent procedure.

I use CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick for all classes of restoration and even for dentinal hybridisations. One of its advantages is also faster impregnation of the dentine and, therefore, the reduced application time.

7/ CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick combines the MDP monomer patented by Kuraray with hydrophilic amide monomers, enabling it to penetrate the dentine faster whatever the level of humidity. How does this fast bonding technology benefit the dentist?

The benefits lie in its speed and the improved bonding result, plus the tolerance to humidity which we have just mentioned.

8/ What are the advantages to patients on whom you have used CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick?

Patients are not really aware of the procedure. I could say the durability of restorations and a reduction in post-operative sensitivity, but this is something we have enjoyed for some time, thanks to the development of adhesives. I don’t think this is something that “Universal” adhesives can add to.

9/ Given the progress achieved in restoration materials and technologies, is post-operative sensitivity still something which dentists need to take into account? What has been your experience in this regard with CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick?

Yes. I do pay special attention to this, aside from the quality of treatment, durability and the comfort of our patients. The satisfaction of our practitioners is dependent on our patients’ satisfaction!

10/ Do you think that there is more post-operative sensitivity when etching is carried out separately?

Personally, I have never felt this, but I do follow the instructions for use scrupulously. It is really a question of technique, whether rinsing the etching, applying the adhesive, intensive drying or not.

11/ You have still not tried CLEARFIL DC Core Plus. Do you think you will start using it?

That’s true, I have not used it yet, but I am very interested in the product and I shall review this.

Though one is a master dental technician and the other a dentist, Daniele Rondoni and Dr Nicola Scotti share a passion for discovering new materials and technologies to better provide aesthetic, durable restorations for patients. Here, they discuss their dental journeys and how they have integrated Kuraray Noritake Dental’s KATANA™ Zirconia range into their workflows.

How did you get started in dentistry, and what was it about dentistry that first interested you?
Dr Nicola Scotti: Well, my professional interest goes back 15 or 20 years at this point, but I was first introduced to dentistry as a child through my father, who was a dentist himself. I grew up looking at teeth, looking at models, and it was something that was just in my blood. When I had to decide what to study, I followed my heart and decided to become a dentist, and ever since I have remained dedicated to learning new things about it.

Daniele Rondoni: I have a similar story to Nicola. My uncle was a dental technician and that influenced my decision to become a dental technician and open up my own dental laboratory. Though there were many things that interested me, I have always focused on the major possibility that this profession offers, the opportunity not only to use your hands but also to combine this skill with the newest dental technologies available.

Regarding this combination of manual and digital skills, do you still see a role for the dental professional as a craftsperson in this increasingly digital industry?
Scotti: Dentistry, even if the digital influence continues to grow, will surely continue to be a profession defined by what we can do with our hands. You cannot complete a restoration, for example, without having these manual skills. There is also the matter of personalisation. Though machines can create flawless dental restorations in great numbers, it is the artistry of the dental technician that allows our patients to have customised solutions made with the materials and the shapes that suit them best. If you want to provide natural-looking restorations for your patients, digital dentistry is a great tool to use, but you need to have manual skills and a passion for the work as well.

Rondoni: As a dental technician, it is important to remember that my work depends on technology, and so in this way, digital dentistry and the new-generation dental materials have helped my work greatly. Using this technology for individual situations is an essential part of my role, and excellent materials like Kuraray Noritake Dental’s KATANA™ Zirconia range make my artistic vision regarding these situations more easily achievable.

Scotti: In my opinion, even if 90 per cent of the workflow is digital in nature, you need that artistic input and vision for the remaining 10 per cent in order to really create a successful restoration. With KATANA™ Zirconia, these two aspects come together and allow you to create something really amazing.

Speaking of the KATANA™ Zirconia range from Kuraray Noritake Dental, is this material a part of your everyday workflow at this point? What do you see as its benefits?
Rondoni: It is definitely a part of my everyday workflow. I have worked with Noritake materials for many years, but when Kuraray released its newest generation of zirconia, it totally changed my approach in the dental laboratory. Over the last five years, KATANA™ Zirconia has greatly influenced my workflow; it allows me to use certain technologies without forgoing artistic needs, and since it’s available in different translucencies and shades and so on, I can create aesthetic restorations for individual cases with ease.

Scotti: In the past, I didn’t regard zirconia as a material for dentists. We used to take the impression and then ask the dental technician to use zirconia to make a restoration, but we didn’t use the material ourselves. What the KATANA™ Zirconia Block for chairside has introduced is a totally new concept of how zirconia can be used by dentists themselves. Having a material that can create monolithic full-contour restorations, even single crowns, is incredible. Its aesthetic qualities are fantastic as well, as Daniele mentioned, and it gives us a truly new option for treating patients.