3M ESPE Adper Easy Bond

Description

3M ESPE Adper Easy Bond is a 7^th-generation, light-cured, self-etch bonding agent. It is recommended for bonding direct composite and compomer restorations, core build-ups, repair of porcelain fractures, dentin desensitization, and cementation of most indirect restorations (when used in conjunction with RelyX ARC). Application of the bonding agent requires 20 seconds of scrubbing the material into the preparation, followed by 5 seconds of air and 10 seconds with a curing light (halogen, LED or plasma light-curing units). Easy Bond is available in two delivery systems, drop-dispensing from a squeeze-bottle or unit-dose applicators. Application time from either type of packaging is approximately 35 seconds. It is recommended that uncut enamel be etched with phosphoric acid. The usual precautions of maintaining a dry operating field, avoidance of contamination by essential oils, pulp protection for deep lesions, and limited contact with soft-tissues of both patient and operator are recommended. The bottle kit includes a 5-ml bottle of material and accessories. The unit-dose kit includes 100 unit doses and accessories. Sixteen Editors used Easy Bond in over 400 restorations. This product received a 96% clinical rating.

Editors’ Observations

Instructions/Packaging/Completeness of Kit
Packaging of both delivery systems for Easy Bond includes a well-illustrated, laminated, step-by-step graphic guide and a clearly written, detailed description of all facets of use. Each delivery style comes in a drawer-convenient sized box with all needed items included. The Editors agreed that these instructions and completeness of kits were excellent. The unit-dose packaging and the convenience of the single-drop dispensing bottle/disposable plastic cup system were also rated excellent.

Ease of Dispensing/Ease of Application/Wettability
The ease of placing this material, the overall efficiency of the single-step protocol and the wettability of the material ranked very high with the Editors. The manufacturer recommends acid etching uncut enamel for best results.

Unit-dose Convenience and Amount of Material
The unit-dose packaging was very convenient and easy to activate for most Editors. Some found the medium-size fiber brush in the unit-dose applicators a bit large for very conservative preparations. A few Editors would like to see more material in each unit dose for multiple restorations.

Time Required for Bonding Procedure/Ease of Air Dispersal/Odor
The material dispersed easily with air and the 35-second application time was a favorite of Editors. Odor was not cited as a problem by Editors.

Usefulness for Various Procedures
Editors noted that compatibility with self- and dual-cured restorative materials would increase the usefulness of Easy Bond.

Ease of Band Removal/Postoperative Sensitivity
Adherence of metal matrix bands to cured composite was not a significant problem nor was postoperative sensitivity of treated teeth.

Summary

Eighty percent of Editors reported that Easy Bond was equal to or better than their current 7^th-generation bonding agent. Eighty-seven percent would recommend it to a colleague and 67% would switch.

Clinical Tips

• The fiber brush is passively placed in the unit-dose applicators. For small cavities, remove it and replace with a smaller brush.
• Twirl the brush handle in your fingers when popping the blister to avoid bending the brush at the neck.
• After wetting a tooth surface well, blot the brush dry and scrub the preparation to enhance coating the surface while removing excess.
• For longer shelf life of the unit-doses, store them in the refrigerator and take them out one at a time.