September, 2001
Transbond Plus Self-Etching Primer
No mix, unit dosed primer that reduces bond failure.
Dr. Robert A. Miller, D.M.D.
Over the years, I have incorporated new bonding agents into my practice in a never ending quest to find a simple, universal bonding agent that is both easy to use and compatible with orthodontic adhesives. The new Transbond™ Plus Self Etching Primer has all of the desired properties ideally suited for the application of any orthodontic attachment where speed is of paramount importance, such as in a wet field. The elimination of the etching step can now finally be achieved, even though etching is taking place. Mechanical adhesion is achieved through a unique adhesive chemical process whereby the etchant chemical compound converts to a primer, thus leaving an etched primed surface without rinsing.
No adhesive to date is as simple and as well received among our staff. The unit dosed packaging provides the right amount to etch and prime an entire arch. The unique foil packaging is designed so the material is self mixed when compressed and problems previously associated with inconsistent mixing and evaporation are no longer a problem. The following series of photographs show how this material is incorporated into a direct bonding technique (Fig 1-5).
Figure 1. Transbond™ Plus Self Etching Primer is applied after pumiced teeth are rinsed and dried (swirl for 3 seconds per tooth).
Figure 2. “Air Thinning” Gentle 1-2 second burst of dry air to thin the primer.
Figure 3. APC™ Adhesive Coated or buttered brackets are placed and positioned, with excess adhesive compressed then removed.
Figure 4. Light curing – 10 seconds per interproximal surface.
Figure 5. Archwire placed.
Another unique application is bonding to impacted canines. (Fig 6-13)
Figure 6. Apically repositioned flap for a buccally displaced, impacted canine.
Figure 7. 3 weeks, post surgery, ready to bond.
Figure 8. Canine etched and bonded with Transbond™ Plus Self Etching Primer and Transbond™ XT Adhesive.
Figure 9. 3 month post bonding.
Figure 10. 4 month post bonding.
Figure 11. Anterior intraoral prior to appliance removal.
Figure 12. Anterior intraoral after removal of maxillary appliances.
Figure 13. Essix™ retainer with the same pontic teeth for an immediate retainer.
Figure 14. Smile with Essix retainer 1 hour after appliance removal.
Summary
Speed and efficiency are prerequisites for effective bonding of acrylic appliances. The combination etchant/primer is ideally suited for this situation. The time saved and reduced expenses from fewer bond failures more than offset the cost of this product. We have been using this routinely for all bonding procedures that require etching, and although the reduction in bond failure is not clinically significant, we have noticed fewer failures in the difficult, wet field areas.
To summarize, the new Transbond™ Plus Self Etching Primer is ideally suited for all bonding procedures that require etching and priming. It works particularly well in a busy practice where multiple assistants are involved in the bonding process and a desire for reducing steps, and minimizing the opportunity for failure exists.
Reference
1. Miller R.A. The Laboratory and Clinical Evaluation of a New 6th Generation Self-Etching Primer in Orthodontics, JCO, In Press.
Essix ® is a registered trademark of Raintree Essix ® , Inc. Reprinted from Orthodontic Perspectives Vol. VII No. 1 © 2000 3M Unitek. APC and Transbond are trademarks of 3M Unitek.
Contributed by:
Dr. Robert A. Miller, D.M.D.
Upon completing his Orthodontic residency at the Medical College of Virginia, Dr. Miller entered the Air Force where he was the Chief of Orthodontics at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. After 3 years he and his family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia where he practiced in a group private practice for 12 years. He currently has a private office located in Culpeper, Virginia. Dr. Miller is a diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics, and has published numerous articles in the JCO on adhesives and Class II Correctors.
