10 Facts You Need to Learn About this Adhesive Before You Buy it
There is a great variety of dental adhesives with various different applications available on the market. Due to the sheer quantity of options available, knowing which adhesive will work best for your dental practice can be a challenge. However, one dental adhesive stands apart from the rest and could be the perfect adhesive for your dental practice. Over the course of my research on dental adhesives, I found that the Scotchbond Universal Product possesses a number of features that will be incredibly useful for dentists and dental assistants. I have organized my research findings into ten facts about Scotchbond Universal Adhesive below.
Fact#1: Scotchbond Universal Adhesive is Versatile
One of the major selling points of Scotchbond Universal Adhesive is its versatility. Going beyond the practical needs of performance, it is an incredibly versatile product that makes work much easier for dentists and dental assistants. Due to the versatility of the product, dentists will not need to use multiple adhesives for different procedures. This product can be used in total-etch, self-etch, and selective-etch techniques. This means dentists will have a single adhesive for every possible situation that calls for an adhesive.
During my research, I found a list of 11 suggested applications for both direct and indirect placement. Direct placement indications include bonding light-cured composite or compomer for all classes of direct restorations, root surface desensitization, sealing of dentin prior to amalgam restorations, protective varnish for glass ionomer restorative materials, repair of composite or compomer restorations, and bonding sealants. Indirect placement indications include bonding veneers with 3M RelyX Veneer Cement, intraoral repair of existing indirect restorations, sealing of dentin prior to temporization for indirect restoration placement, bonding self- or dual-cure core build-up materials and resin cement (with 3M Scotchbond Universal Dual-Core Activator), and acting as an adhesive or primer for chemical adhesion when bonding zirconia, alumina, metal, or glass-ceramic restorations.
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Fact#2: Scotchbond Universal Adhesive Can Bond to Almost Any Surface
Not only is it versatile in terms of its application to different dental procedures, but it can also bond to almost any surface. On its own, Scotchbond Universal Adhesive can bond to enamel, dentin, glass-ceramic, zirconia, and noble and non-precious alloys and composites. When combined with 3M Scotchbond Universal DCA Dual Cure Activator, it is also compatible with all resin cement, core build-up materials, and self-cure composites.
Fact#3: It is Strong
In addition to its ability to be used for various dental procedures and its ability to adhere to almost any surface, Scotchbond Universal Adhesive has also been found to be one of the strongest adhesives on the market. One of its most important features is the effectiveness of the product. In clinical trials, the product was an effective and strong adhesive on a wide arrangement of materials. Studies have also shown that the bond strength remains high even if saliva gets on a margin. This is because Scotchbond Universal Adhesive contains Vitrebond copolymer, a methacrylate modified Polyalkenoic acid polymer unique to 3M ESPE. This allows for superior bonding whether applied to a moist or dry surface.
Fact #4: It Does Not Need a Primer
Due to the aforementioned Vitrebond copolymer, Silane, and an MDP Monomer, Scotchbond Universal Adhesive does not require a primer. Silane allows the adhesive to bond to glass-ceramic surfaces without the use of a separate ceramic primer, while the MDP Monomer provides self-etching performance and has a ph of 2.7. This allows Scotchbond Universal Adhesive to chemically bond with zirconia, alumina, and metals without a separate primer.
Fact#5: Scotchbond Universal Adhesive is Fast Acting
You only need to apply one layer of Scotchbond Universal Adhesive, which only takes 35 seconds to apply. The application process involves 20 seconds of scrubbing, 5 seconds for air-drying, and light-curing for 10 seconds.
Fact#6: It is Convenient
Because of its versatility, the ability to adhere to almost any surface, and speed, the product has proven to be incredibly convenient. Its application has proven to be just as convenient as its versatility. Scotchbond Universal Adhesive comes in a vial with a flip-top, so it is difficult to spill the adhesive. It also requires no mixing and can be applied immediately. Dental assistants appreciated the ease of the flip cap and narrow dropper spout. The introductory kit comes with all of the tools needed to apply the adhesive to the patient, including one bottle of Scotchbond Universal Adhesive, a 3 mL syringe of etchant, brushes, mixing wells, and instructions. In addition, Scotchbond Universal Adhesive has a shelf life of two years when stored at room temperature, and it does not require refrigeration like similar adhesive products. This makes even its storage more convenient than other similar products.
Fact #7: It is Essentially Painless
Scotchbond Universal Adhesive offers more than just benefits for dentists but for their patients as well. Studies found that patients reported little-to-no postoperative sensitivity when used in total-etch and self-etch modes. When tested on 3,467 total-etch and 3,495 self-etch restorations, only 14 (0.4%) of patients experienced post-operative sensitivity.
Fact #8: It is Cost-Effective
Because Scotchbond Universal Adhesive contains an incorporated silane coupling agent, it is much more cost-effective as compared to other similar adhesive products on the market. The one coat, one application method also means there is less of the product being used per application, which means it will last longer than other adhesives. Also, since the adhesive works on a large variety of applications, its use results in a decrease in purchasing multiple products.
Fact #9: It is Reliable
Because Scotchbond Universal Adhesive’s manufacturer, 3M, has such a great reputation for performing scientifically based studies before a product is released, dentists can be confident about the reliability of the products. The dentists can be secure in the outcome predictability.
Fact #10: Scotchbond Universal Adhesive is Highly Recommended
The dental field has well-received this adhesive, and many dentists and dental assistants have expressed positive reviews regarding Scotchbond Universal Adhesive. In fact, a recent study had 31 consultants use the adhesive 1500 times and found that 94% of consultants recommend using the product, and it has a 98% clinical rating.
