News Feature

Which Solutions Truly Deliver in Daily Dental Practice?

DENTAL ADVISOR 2026 AWARDS RECOGNISING KURARAY NORITAKE PRODUCTS FOR EXCELLENCE AND RELIABILITY

As clinical demands continue to rise and chairside time becomes increasingly precious, dental professionals are nowadays looking for materials and devices that truly deliver in daily practice – while demanding less of themselves. In this context, efficiency, ease of use and long-term performance have become decisive factors in product selection.

In a market characterized by frequent product introductions and bold claims, however, identifying the most suitable solutions can be challenging. A useful guide to well-founded decisions: Independent evaluations that combine rigorous laboratory testing with real-practice clinical assessments. One of the most trusted institutions offering this kind of evaluations in the Dental Advisor. Once per year, this respected authority in dental product testing publishes its Top & Preferred Product and Research Awards – highlighting those products that stand out not only for innovation, but for proven, consistent performance.

In 2026, several solutions from Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. were recognized – ranging from a new universal flowable composite to long-established materials that continue to define modern restorative and adhesive dentistry.

A PROMISING BLEND OF CHARACTERISTICS: RESEARCH AWARD WINNERS

According to Dental Advisor, “Companies that receive Research Awards demonstrate a commitment to advancing dental technology and enhancing patient care.” Product properties are tested in the Dental Advisor Biomaterials Research Center to evaluate the scientific performance and identify those materials with the most promising blend of characteristics.

1. CLEARFIL™ Universal Bond Quick 2 (Research Award and Preferred Product)

Launched in 2025, CLEARFIL™ Universal Bond Quick 2 is an enhanced version of the popular multi-mode adhesive CLEARFIL™ Universal Bond Quick. Both stand out due to their minimal application time. Research conducted at the Dental Advisor Biomaterials Research Center demonstrated excellent bond strength to enamel and dentin, even after artificial aging and saliva contamination. The latter indicates a consistent performance even in wet environments like the oral cavity. The in-vitro tests also confirmed a thin film thickness (3-5μm), supporting accurate seating of indirect restorations.

2. CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow Universal (Research and Top Product Award)

CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow Universal is a highly filled flowable composite launched in 2025. It features submicron fillers (78% by weight) and a simplified universal shade system enabled by light diffusion technology. Independent testing in the Biomaterials Research Center of the Dental Advisor confirmed that it delivers some of the highest strength values in its class, along with excellent radiopacity and great shade matching compared with other universal-shade composites. Designed for efficient placement, its syringes and application tips help minimize voids, a benefit confirmed by radiographic analysis of filled syringes and attached tips after dispensing of material. Viscosity testing reveals that the material offers a low-flow, no-slump consistency that allows precise cusp build-up and detailed anatomical sculpting. While the material is available in two flowabilities (Low and Super Low) in Europe, Super Low is the variant offered in the United States and tested in the Dental Advisor Biomaterials Research Center.

3. KATANA™ Cleaner

KATANA™ Cleaner became a 2026 Research Award winner without prior clinical evaluation. The universal cleaning agent contains MDP salt, designed to effectively remove contaminants from both restorative materials and tooth structure. Laboratory testing by the Dental Advisor demonstrated that it restores bond strength on saliva-contaminated zirconia and lithium disilicate to optimal levels, with SEM analysis confirming nearly complete surface cleanliness. In its summary of research highlights, the Dental Advisor team stressed that KATANA™ Cleaner is one of the few commercially available cleaners approved for intraoral use.

4. PANAVIA™ Veneer LC (Research Award and Preferred Product)

PANAVIA™ Veneer LC is widely recognised for delivering strong, durable bonding and highly aesthetic outcomes in veneer procedures. Laboratory testing revealed that, when used with the US-recommended components – PANAVIA Veneer LC Paste, CLEARFIL™ Universal Bond Quick and CLEARFIL™ Ceramic Primer Plus – the system maintains a high bond strength even after artificial aging. This performance was consistent across multiple substrates, including enamel, dentin, silica-based ceramics (lithium disilicate) and zirconia. Furthermore, the system outperformed two other leading veneer cements in gloss retention and wear resistance.

TOP PRODUCT AWARD WINNERS

Top Products are “exceptional products [that] have consistently demonstrated their excellence and reliability, earning a lasting place in our publication“. The winners are selected based on laboratory testing and clinical evaluations conducted under real-life conditions: “Our dedicated volunteer evaluators provide unbiased insights from their real-world experiences, ensuring that only the very best receive this prestigious accolade”, as stated on www.dentaladvisor.com.

1. CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow

A proven favourite, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow earned a Top Award for the 10^th time(!), reaffirming its position as a leading product in the direct restoratives category (Composite: Highly Filled Flowable). Recognized for its excellent handling, ease of use, and true-to-life aesthetics, it remains a trusted choice for clinicians seeking versatility and consistently high-quality results. Aesthetic properties were highlighted by one of the evaluators as follows: "The material blended so well with the tooth structure that you had to look hard to find the interface."

2. CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow Universal (Research and Top Product Award)

This product not only excels in the laboratory setting, but also in the practice environment. Among the top features highlighted clinically are its ideal, non-slumping consistency, optimised translucency and great blend-in ability supported by light-diffusion technology. The blend-in ability, along with the benefits resulting form the delivery system, are reflected in a comment: “Excellent shade matching and no air bubbles.”

3. CLEARFIL™ SE Protect

CLEARFIL™ SE Protect continues to set the standard among self-etch adhesives, combining antibacterial properties with fluoride release. Backed by a strong history of clinical success, it received a Top Award this year for its outstanding bonding performance and long-term reliability, making it a key component in modern restorative dentistry. An evaluator commented: "The gold standard in bonding to reduce post operative sensitivity."

4. PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal

Designed for straightforward and dependable self-adhesive cementation, PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal earned a Top Award for its high-quality bonding to a wide variety of substrates – without the need for additional primers. Its user-friendly handling and predictable outcomes make it a popular choice for clinicians who value both efficiency and performance. Evaluators highlighted its moisture tolerance as well as its "Amazing viscosity, tack cure-ability and very easy cleanup."

5. TEETHMATE™ DESENSITIZER

Awarded a Top Award for the nineth consecutive year, TEETHMATE™ DESENSITIZER continues to stand out for its exceptional effectiveness in managing hypersensitivity. This non-invasive solution remains highly regarded for delivering durable, long-lasting relief from sensitivity. Its long-lasting effect was confirmed in a comment: “At six months, the majority of patients continue to experience marked improvement from their pre-operative sensitivity or no sensitivity at all."

PREFERRED PRODUCT AWARD WINNERS

According to www.dentaladvisor.com, “The Preferred Product Awards highlight those items that not only excel in performance but also resonate with the needs of dental practitioners.“ Products are selected for this award based on clinical evaluations and in-vitro test results, and a preferred feature is always highlighted.

1. CLEARFIL™ Universal Bond Quick 2 (Research Award and Preferred Product)

Apart from winning a Research Award, CLEARFIL™ Universal Bond Quick 2 became a Preferred Product mainly for its rapid working time, enabled by a formulation with a unique blend of proven and new monomers. It allows clinicians to apply the adhesive and begin working instantly – a feature that is very well received by the consultants: "Extremely quick application time that allowed me to get right to work. Every time saving ability is ideal." Film thickness is low and application extraordinarily easy.

2. CLEARFIL™ CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS

The fact that it is a versatile, one-step solution made CLEARFIL™ CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS become a Preferred Product in the category Indirect Restoratives – Universal Primer once again. An evaluator was particularly happy that it is “Easy to use on a variety of materials”. While highly versatile in application, the product also stands out for delivering exceptional bond strength – especially when applied to silica-based ceramics, zirconia, and composites. Its proven performance has made it a trusted choice among clinicians around the world.

3. PANAVIA™ Veneer LC (Research Award and Preferred Product)

PANAVIA™ Veneer LC’s preferred feature is its excellent handling, as stated by the evaluators. They liked to apply and model it, as it offered the desired combination of flowability, stability, viscosity and non-stickiness. While matching try-in pastes were well-received, one evaluator particularly highlighted the opacity of the white shade: ""

A SHARED FOCUS ON IMPROVING PATIENT CARE

At Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., innovation is guided by a clear understanding of clinical realities. The awards received in 2026 reflect an ongoing commitment to developing materials that balance scientific excellence with practical usability – supporting predictable outcomes, efficient workflows and improved patient care. As dentistry continues to evolve, the recognition from the Dental Advisor underscores the importance of solutions that stand the test of time. By listening closely to clinicians and investing continuously in research and development, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. remains focused on advancing dental science in ways that matter most – supporting dental professionals in their striving for success and for enhancing their patients’ quality of life, every day.