Ask the Editors
Can you identify situations in which a dentist would use 4th- vs 5th- vs 6th- and 7th-generation bonding agents?
4th– and 5th-generation bonding agents use the total-etch technique with phosphoric acid and are recommended for situations where unprepared enamel is present. If there the enamel and dentin have been ground with a bur, then 6th– and 7th-generation bonding agents provide good bond strengths and are easy to use. Many dentists prefer the use of total-etch adhesives for bonding veneers to minimize marginal staining.
4th-generation (total-etch) bonding agents (LuxaBond Total Etch, DMG America/DMG) are recommended for bonding resin composite cores (LuxaCore Z-Dual, DMG America/DMG) to deep dentin.
5th-generation (total-etch) bonding agents are suggested for bonding of direct anterior resin composites.
Use 6th– and 7th-generation (self-etching) bonding agents for posterior composites. Make sure to apply the primer correctly to enamel to minimize marginal staining.