Innovator Profile 2015: BISCO

Q&A with Dr. Paul L. Child, Jr., prosthodontist/independent consultant, and Dr. Liang Chen, chief scientist of BISCO

Q: Do you believe BISCO has the best adhesives out there currently? Why?
Child: I do. I believe BISCO All-Bond Universal is the best product currently available in the adhesive market. Although it’s a little more than three years old, it has all the characteristics a clinician could want. I also believe we will continue to make improvements because there are chemical and biological advancements yet to come, not only for our adhesive products but for the overall category of adhesives as well.

Q: What do clinicians want in an adhesive?
Child: Clinicians are looking to eliminate post-operative tooth sensitivity. The also want a high bond strength that is durable over time, versatility and the ability to use one bottle for everything. Many don’t want to have several different adhesives for veneers, indirect restorations, direct composites, post cementation and other procedures. They don’t like having all these different bottles around, and they want freedom to etch how they want, universal compatibility and ease of use. I think they want something durable and long-lasting because there’s a lot of research that shows adhesives degrade over time.

Related reading: How to bond a lithium disilicate restoration using BISCO eCEMENT

Q: How does BISCO stay competitive with that market?
Child: BISCO is known for its chemistry and as an adhesive company. It has the company recognition as an adhesive leader and stays cost competitive because it is a direct-to-consumer company. BISCO also has a reputation for being an organization that predominates when it comes to the chemistry and research behind its dental products, and that’s the number one reason why it leads the market in universal adhesives with All-Bond Universal.

Q: As the primary developer and chemist behind All-Bond Universal, what did you do to make it unique?
Chen: Unlike other universal adhesives, which were made from modifications to existing adhesives, All-Bond Universal was formulated from scratch so there are no unnecessary components from the earlier version. Additionally, water residue after the application is a very common and hard-to-resolve problem. Unlike ethanol or acetone, water is more difficult to remove or evaporate. Often, there is some residual water left in the adhesive layer after application. This could result in permeability of the adhesive, faster degradation and other adverse effects. All-Bond Universal utilizes the unique azeotropic ethanol/water solvent system to assist in water evaporation and ensure no residual water will remain after application. All-Bond Universal was also designed to be hydrophilic before polymerization and hydrophobic after polymerization. Therefore, All-Bond Universal will not only have high immediate bond strength but also have a durable long-term bond.

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Q: What is it about the chemistry that makes All-Bond Universal a great product?
Chen: The active ingredient in All-Bond Universal is the proven superior adhesion monomer for dental adhesives, MDP (10-Methacryloyloxydecyl Dihydrogen Phosphate). The adhesion monomer can be compared to a car engine, as it is the most important component for a dental adhesive; MDP is the Lamborghini of monomers, competing with  a number of Toyotas in the market. However, the best engine available (MDP) would not automatically ensure the best products. The formulation of other components of a dental adhesive must be optimized to maximize the efficacy of the adhesion monomer. The formulation of All-Bond Universal optimizes the adhesive’s acidity, strength, hydrophobicity and solvents. Research studies using X-rays showed All-Bond Universal formed a much stronger chemical bond than the other MDP-containing dental adhesives.

Q: What would you say to dentists who are happy with their adhesive?
Child: I worked with Dr. Gordon Christensen for a number of years, and his mantra was, “If you’re satisfied with your adhesive, stay where you are,” and I agreed. Dr. Christensen has many years of clinical experience and knowledge to make such a statement, and I respect that. However, with most Class II restorations lasting on average just more than five years, clinicians need to start looking closer at all the steps and materials used in these restorations. There has to be an easier and better way to increase the longevity of these restorations. In addition, our eyes as clinicians can’t tell what’s going on initially or even long term with adhesives, so we have to rely on clinical and laboratory research in addition our own observations. When a clinician scrubs on an adhesive, all they see is the yellow stuff that goes on, but they can’t see the bond breaking down over time or the water that still may be incorporated in the adhesive. So, you have to get something that’s superior in terms of durability, longevity and chemistry.

Webinar: An in-depth examination of the clinical uses and case studies for All-Bond Universal

All-Bond Universal
COMBINES ETCHING, PRIMING AND BONDING IN ONE BOTTLE.
All-Bond Universal is an ehtanol/water-based dental adhesive that bonds to dentin and cut and uncut enamel.
Versatile uses
Engineered for use for both directs and indirects, bonds to all indirect substrates, including metal, glass ceramics, zirconia, aluminia, porcelain (silica-based) and lithium disilicate and is compatible with all composite- and -resin based cements without an additional activator.
Easy to apply
Can be stored at room temperature-No refrigeration needed. Low film thickness.
Patient comfort
Virtually no post-operative sensitivity.

Watch the video below to learn more about BISCO:

Video: How to use TheraCal LC as a liner in a Class II resin-based composite restoration