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Adhesive Technology for Restorative Dentistry

Care Planning and Restorative Sciences, University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216 601-984-6042 phone; 601-984-6042 fax; smphillips{at}sod.umsmed.edu.

Adhesive and esthetic dentistry can be found in most aspects of the clinical practice of dentistry today. This leads the authors to ask, "Another book on adhesive dentistry? Is there a need for it?" These were the questions posed prior to compiling the proceedings from the 3^rd European Symposium on Adhesive Dentistry held in Berlin in 2001. The answer they came to is "yes"; after reading the book, I agree.

Adhesive technology has led to an improved quality of esthetic dentistry but appears to have advanced at a faster pace than changes in delivery of care, so the authors state the purpose of the text is to help fill the gap between accepted treatment modes and what is carried out in daily practice. The book addresses current topics on adhesive and esthetic dentistry by reviewing the literature behind its development into today’s practice. It features an impressive collection of international leaders in this field who provide their perspective on adhesive and esthetic dentistry’s changing face.

Each chapter is presented in a scientific paper format, presenting an abstract and covering the history, or related topics, and building to current concepts or techniques. Each chapter ends with a concise summary of its major points, followed by ample literature citations supporting the material presented. Chapters are well organized and easy to follow from abstract to conclusion.

The twelve chapters can be broken down into four subcategories. The first three deal with the current possibilities for adhesive and esthetic restorative dentistry. They look at the evolution of dental care in the industrialized world from a pain relief-oriented profession to an esthetically oriented profession. Composite layering techniques are reviewed, and the rationale on how and where to layer is described. Techniques for minimally invasive tooth preparations are given for certain esthetic problems encountered in practice.

Chapters 4 through 7 expand on the concept of minimally invasive dentistry through adhesive technology. Cavity prep design, diagnosis and treatment, material selection, and new technologies are discussed. The book challenges the reader to reconsider the traditional G.V. Black cavity classification and recognize the presence of the carious lesion instead of defining specific cavities. Minimally invasive prep designs are suggested using adhesive technology to replace less conservative preparations. The reader is reminded that the biological nature of caries and treatment modalities focuses on the elimination of caries through the control of bacterial flora. Chapter 7 looks specifically at the use of ozone in dentistry. The authors review research studies in treating primary root caries with ozone and its resulting reduction in total microorganisms. In many cases, this application reduces the need for future treatment of the lesions.

Chapters 8 through 10 continue with specific issues clinicians face when using adhesive techniques with resin and ceramic systems. Chapter 8 presents an evidence-based case for the superiority of resin luting for full ceramic crown restorations, looking at the success and failure rates of different types of ceramics. Castable, pressable, and machinable ceramics are discussed, including the physical properties of the restorations luted conventionally and adhesively. Luting agent selection for ceramic inlays and onlays is discussed in chapter 9. An evidence-based approach is applied in a review of previous research to select luting agents for inlays and onlays. Resin-to-metal bonding is the final topic covered in this section. The use of tin plating, silica coating, and metal primers is described. The review of evidence leads the author to make specific recommendations to the reader based on the type of prosthesis and metal alloys used.

The final two chapters remind the reader of the biological basis of the caries process, along with the need for more clinical research and less marketing of "in vivo" adhesive dentistry. The final question asks, "Can technology cure disease?" It suggests that technology contributes to elimination of disease, but biotechnology will be the key that may one day cure dental disease. Causal therapy and prevention are the principles of this treatment concept. This chapter encourages the reader to focus on issues that can be overlooked in the day-to-day practice of esthetic dentistry.

One of the book’s strongest points is the quality of the figures. Tables supporting results from studies are well prepared and multicolored. Photographs, photomicrographs, and illustrations are excellent in quality. Figures complement the text and are well placed throughout the chapters. The book has a plain yet attractive appearance, and the quality of the binding appears excellent also. The cost of the book (which is currently only available in hardcover) may be seen as an initial drawback, but the amount of information contained makes it a worthy investment.

The only other possible limitation in the book is that some of the techniques described may be viewed by practitioners as time and labor-intensive. The outcome is not questioned, but the time and cost to the dentist and patient may not be practical in all cases. The gap between accepted treatment and what is carried out in daily practices can at times be patient-driven, and cost and time are factors that may keep some of the techniques from becoming more widespread in today’s dental practice. The goals of identifying and controlling the cause and a patient’s hygiene habits are correctly identified as the ultimate predictor of adhesive restorative success.

I would recommend this book to the dentist looking to review current concepts in adhesive technology. The book would be most valuable to the new dentist or established practitioner looking to expand his or her knowledge of the current practice of adhesive restorative dentistry. Even though the information is four years old in a fast-changing technological area, most of the information is still valuable for use in today’s practice. Instead of one or two authors’ opinions, over twenty authorities in adhesive dentistry have given an informative literature review and insight into their field. The result makes the book a good addition to a dentist’s professional library.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Phillips, S. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Phillips, S. M.