According to the manufacturer, Adper Easy Bond’s advantages include reduced risk of postoperative sensitivity, less risk of contamination because of a faster procedure, moisture tolerance, and low microleakage. This self-etch adhesive is indicated for all classes of fillings (light-cured composites or compomers); core buildups made of light-cured composite; repair of composite or compomer fillings; root surface desensitization; and intraoral repair of existing composite, porcelain-fusedto- metal, and all-ceramic restorations. In addition, Adper Easy Bond can be used for the cementation of indirect restorations made of composite or compomer, ceramic, and metal after light cured and when combined with RelyX ARC Adhesive Resin Cement.

Bond Strength and Marginal Integrity

While long-term data could not be evaluated in this product review, 3M ESPE has conducted studies that look at the bond strength and marginal integrity of Adper Easy Bond. According to the manufacturer, the filler technology used in Adper Easy Bond optimizes the bond of the product. Studies have shown that its bond strength is equal to or greater than other 1-bottle systems and compares favorably to 2-bottle self-etch adhesives.¹ In a study conducted at the University of Ulm in Germany, investigators compared the percentage of continuous margins before and after thermocycling for Adper Easy Bond and other adhesive systems. The percentage of continuous margins after thermocycling on dentin was 99.9% and on enamel 97.7%.²

Technique

According to the manufacturer, Adper Easy Bond requires only 3 steps:

• Apply adhesive to the tooth surface for a total of 20 seconds
• Dry the adhesive for 5 seconds
• Light cure the adhesive for 10 seconds.

When the 9 dentists who participated in this evaluation were asked about the Adper Easy Bond technique, 8 rated it as excellent and 1 rated it as very good. One evaluator said that while he likes to etch enamel, “without separate primer, bonding steps it speeds up the procedure.”

Packaging

When the evaluators were asked to rate the packaging of Adper Easy Bond, 4 rated it as excellent, 4 rated it as very good, and 1 rated it as good. One evaluator commented that he found the packaging “easy to use.” Another said that his “assistants like the lollipop very much.” A third evaluator said the packaging is “easy to open and manipulate with gloves on.”

Ease of Use—Placement and Storage

When the evaluators were asked about the importance of ease of use when purchasing a self-etch adhesive, all 9 said it is important to very important. The evaluators were then asked to rate Adper Easy Bond on its ease of use with regard to placement and storage. Eight evaluators rated the product excellent to very good for both placement and storage and 1 rated it as good. With regard to placement, 1 evaluator said, “Other than having to use a small brush in some small fillings, use was great.” Another evaluator also commented that he wished that “the head of the brush was smaller.”

Provided Instructions

Seven of the evaluators rated the instructions included with Adper Easy Bond as excellent and 2 rated them as very good. One evaluator described the instructions as straightforward and another said, “No brainer.”

Overall Satisfaction

When the dentist evaluators were asked if they would recommend Adper Easy Bond to their dental colleagues, they all said definitely or probably. In addition, 8 evaluators said they would definitely or probably purchase Adper Easy Bond in the future (1 evaluator said he wasn’t sure). At the end of the evaluation, the dentists who participated were asked to provide their overall satisfaction rating for Adper Easy Bond. One evaluator rated it as excellent and 8 rated it as very good. Several evaluators described the system as very easy to use and indicated that their staff liked the product as well.

References

1. 3M ESPE internal data.
2. Haller B. Ulm University Study.