In 2012 BISCO introduced All-Bond Universal® light-cured universal adhesive which was the culmination of over 30 years of adhesive research. Unlike the single bottle 7th generation self-etch adhesives, the single bottle universal adhesives incorporated synergistic functional and cross-linking monomers that were multi-functional. New and improved chemistries along with a delicate balance
between hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers contributed greatly to the success of universal adhesives like All-Bond Universal (ABU).
The water content in ABU is minimized so that it can be evaporated with a quick air-drying step, a distinct advantage over most adhesives. Another important characteristic of ABU is the pH value of 3.2. ABU is the only universal adhesive with a pH value over 3 at 3.2, which is acidic enough when bonding to dentin with a self-etch or selective-etch technique, but not so acidic that it compromises bond compatibility with self- and dual-cured composite and resin cement. That is why a dual cure activator is not required when using ABU like it is with many universal adhesives.
Universal adhesives like ABU must be hydrophilic when applied to the tooth in order to wet and infiltrate dentin but become hydrophobic after solvent evaporation and light curing in order to bond to composite and resin cement. That is why it is so important to evaporate the solvent and light cure universal adhesives. This important transformation from hydrophilic to hydrophobic can be demonstrated with a dentin surface, a layer of ABU and a water droplet (Fig. 1). It is important to understand that light curing the adhesive layer after solvent evaporation will not interfere with the seat of indirect restorations because ABU and other universal adhesives typically have a film thickness of less than 10 microns.
Figure 1
In summary, ABU which was first introduced over 10 years ago is a one step, single bottle adhesive that is stable at room temperature, has many benefits including: Can be used in conjunction with
total-etch, selective-etch, and self-etch clinical procedures (Fig. 2); help to reduce product inventory; can be used with wet, dry, and moist tooth surfaces; has a pH value of 3.2 making it compatible with all self- and dual-cured composite and resin cement without the need for a
dual cure activator; has a minimized water content allowing for evaporation of water with a quick air drying step; can be used with all direct and indirect restorations; will bond to all substrates; and contains a delicate balance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers (including 10-MDP) that work
synergistically to make ABU a simple, easy to use, every day, every procedure adhesive.
Figure 2
Submitted by Dr Thomas Dudney