A mere 20 years ago, 4th generation adhesives revolutionized restorative dentistry by offering a predictable technique for bonding to both enamel and dentin1. Less than 5 years later, advances in ionomer and resin technologies provided clinically successful dentin and enamel replacement. In 2003, the first selective preparation burs that could differentiate healthy and unhealthy dentin were introduced2. These were all revolutionary innovations that significantly altered the practice of dentistry. Within a decade, adhesive-resin and composites had displaced amalgam as the mainstream restorative materials.
The intervening years have seen the development of improved 5th and 7th generation adhesives3,4, microhybrid and nanohybrid composites, LED curing lights, soft tissue lasers5,6,7, and a host of other adjunct technologies that make dental treatment better, easier, faster8, and more predictable9,10. These innovations have been evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, building upon the existing science by gradual improvement and facilitation.
The three major clinical concerns encountered by practitioners in recent years have included:
- The end-point of cavity preparation (how to differentiate between infected and affected dentin and how much tooth structure must be removed to assure long-term operative success?) 11, 12, 13
- The disinfection of the prepared dentinal tissue (how to eliminate the remaining bacteria to prevent redecay?) 14, 15
- The facilitation and simplification of the restorative protocol (how to reduce the numerous steps and technique sensitivities that arise in the restoration of function and form?)
- Recent technological advances have done much to allay these concerns and to move dental practice towards ever greater clinical predictability.
Preparation End-Point
Second generation Smartburs II (SSWhite, Lakewood New Jersey) are self-limiting polymer burs that have been developed to address the clinical problem of preparation endpoint: the removal of infected dentin (softened tooth structure that cannot be remineralized) 16 but the conservation of affected dentin (infected tooth structure that can be healed and remineralized). FIG A The slow speed Smartbur II relies on tooth structure hardness, and not tissue staining, to scientifically determine the endpoint. Its specifically designed Knoop hardness (harder than diseased dentin but softer than healthy dentin) allows the bur to selectively remove soft carious dentin while not cutting the harder healthy dentin.






initial caries access preparation

Cavity Disinfection
It is well established that some bacteria remain in the prepared tooth structures, no matter how thorough the preparation process, and despite a tactile firmness and non-stained appearance. It is now possible to greatly decrease the likelihood of viable bacteria beneath the restoration by chemo-therapeutic methods that can penetrate as far as 2-3mm into the remaining enamel or dentin. These techniques effectively destroy bacterial viability and permit the subsequent remineralization of compromised tooth structures.
The technologies that have been shown to be effective surface bactericidals are:
– Aseptim Plus (SciCan, Toronto ON) Photo-Activated Disinfection System.17 FIG H
This compact unit utilizes tolonium chloride to specifically stain liposomes in bacterial cell walls. The stain is subsequently targeted by a red diode light that releases oxygen ions. FIG I These ions break open the liposomes, rupturing the cell walls, and killing the bacteria.
– Healozone X4 (Curozone, Wiesbaden, Germany). FIG L The ozone ions are generated remotely and introduced to the tip-sealed tooth surface through a handpiece. The ions are immediately, and selectively, toxic to bacteria. A very low level of ozone concentration is required for a comprehensive bactericidal effect. 18, 19, 20
– The high concentration of ozone is very effective in bacterial wall disruption and destroys them within 20-40 seconds. 21, 22, 23, 24 FIG M

Aseptim Plus (SciCan, Toronto ON) Photo-Activated Disinfection System

Red diode light that releases oxygen ions


Healozone X4 (Curozone, Wiesbaden, Germany)
Simplification of the Restorative Protocol
Most restorative protocols require numerous materials, each selected for particular beneficial properties, numerous steps, and a cumulatively complex description of the specific sequence that must be followed exactly. For example, microhybrid composites have excellent compressive strength for occlusal surfaces BUT they may not flow and adapt to margins and undercut areas of the preparation and can be difficult to sculpt. Flowable composites can adapt readily to the micro-anatomy of the tooth surface and are very polishable BUT cannot withstand the masticatory forces of direct occlusal contact.
Beautifil Flow Plus (Shofu, San Marcos CA) introduces a new category of restorative material: the “injectable” flowable composite resin. Fig N Based on Giomer chemistry, it is neither a conventional composite nor a flowable resin; Flow Plus is a unique blend of these materials with the benefits of both. Its high strength resin matrix is densely packed by fillers optimized to 67%.

Beautifil Flow Plus
Two viscosities are available, a sculptable non-flow (F 00) FIG O and a low-flow (F 03) FIG P, which are used together in the resin Cone Technique. Both are suitable for the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth. The highly elastic Beautifil Flow F 10 is placed after the adhesive for interface stress relief. Then, the non-flow is injected to form cusps and marginal ridges. It injects smoothly from the syringe, holds its shape, and does not develop a dispensing “horn”. Beautifil Flow Plus is not subject to technique sensitivity, and the Cone Injection Technique offers an important time advantage when compared to the layering technique. Beautifil Flow Plus 03 is placed last to finalize the occlusal anatomy of the restoration and to seal the marginal areas.
Used individually, or preferably together, these innovative techniques and materials provide practical clinical solutions to the concerns listed above. The following demonstration indicates an effective step-by-step protocol that incorporates the latest advances in restorative dentistry.

flowable composite resin

Clinical Protocol
The rubber dam is punched and lubricated with water soluble Wink (Pulpdent, Watertown MA) FIG Q to facilitate its insertion through interproximal contacts without tearing. The Vita Easyshade Compact (Vident, Brea CA) determines the shade of the restorative material at the beginning of the procedure, either before the rubber dam is placed, or immediately afterwards. FIG R It is important to record the shade while the tooth is still moist; once it is desiccated, the tooth will appear unnaturally chalky and opaque.
The tooth is air-dried and the CarieScan PRO caries indicator (CarieScan, Dundee, United Kingdom) is utilized to confirm the location and the extent of the decay.25, 26, 27, 28 FIG T

Water soluble Wink

The Vita Easyshade Compact

The CarieScan PRO

Great White Gold #2


The Smartbur II


A brief etching

rinsing with copious water

disinfection with the Aseptim Plus



Adhesive scrubbed onto dentin and enamel surfaces

polymerization with high power LED curing-light




All four cusp bases are restored






Conclusion
Innovations in end-point determination, cavity surface disinfection, and the simplification of restorative techniques have again revolutionized dental practice. Mainstream clinical procedures are better, faster, and easier, and much more predictable in the long-term.
References
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2. Freedman G, Polymer Preparation Instruments, Dentistry Today, APRIL 2003 22:5 58-62
3. Freedman G, Fifth Generation Bonding Systems: State of the Art in Adhesive Dentistry, J Canadian Dental Assoc June 1997 63:6 347-350
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18. Baysan A, Management of Primary Root Caries using Ozone Therapies, PhD Thesis, University of London, 2002
19. Bocci V, Luzzi E, Corradeschi F, et al, Studies on the biological effects of ozone:4 Cytokine production and glutathione levels in human erythrocytes, J Biol Regul Homeost Agents, 1993: 7: 133-138
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