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04 Dental Tribune Asia Pacific Edition | 10/2016 WORLD NEWS Materials scientist Prof. John Nicholson from London has conducted exten- sive research on glass ionomer ce- ments and related materials over the last 30 years. In a presentation he re- cently gave at the FDI Annual World Dental Congress in Poznan in Poland he discussed whether modern dental ma- terials can meet the world’s oral health needs, among other things. Dental Tribune spoke with him about the shortcomings of modern dental materials, re- storative dentistry becoming a two-class system, and atraumatic restorative treatment. Dental Tribune: In your presenta- tion, you argued that most modern dental materials are characterised by cosmetic rather than functional aspects. Where do they lack most in your opinion? Prof. John Nicholson: They lack ease of use. This applies espe- cially to composite resins. Being non- adhesive, compos- ites have to be em- ployed in associa- tion with bonding agents. The func- tion of bonding agents is to alter the nature of the freshly cut tooth surface from hy- drophilic to hydro- phobic, and this requires careful de- ployment of sen- sitive materials in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Having created a surface for bonding, the compos- ite itself must be placed. This typ- ically requires placement in incre- ments, with sufficient application of the curing lamp to ensure depth of cure. All of this manipulation is dif- ficult and requires a high level of skill on the part of the dentist. Done correctly, it works well and the resulting repair is durable and aesthetic. However, it is too com- plicated to be the basis of tooth repair in poorer countries, owing to the high numbers of patients, unreliable electricity supplies and fewer skilled dentists. Most technologies seem to become cheaper over time, except dental materials. What are the reasons for this reverse trend? In dentistry, we have empha- sised appearance over perfor- mance, a feature that is not so much of a problem in countries with large numbers of dentists able to replace worn-out restora- tions, that is in richer communi- ties in the developed world. The dental market therefore does not favour cheaper solutions, or sim- pler ones. With state-of-the-art dental ma- terials only affordable in rich countries and a select few in poor countries, has modern restorative dentistry become a two-class sys- tem? It has indeed, and that two- class system applies in richer countries too, where poorer in- dividuals are less likely to be able to afford the best-looking repair materials. Specifically, this means amalgam repairs rather than com- posites. Atraumatic restorative treatment was originally developed to provide a cost-effective treatment for pa- tients in the world’s poorest coun- tries. What have been the experi- ences with the technique so far, and can it offer an alternative for a population with no access to modern dental materials? Reports over the last few years have shown it to be very success- ful. A variety of patient groups, including children, young adults and even older patients, are ben- efiting from what is effectively minimal intervention, low-cost dental treatment. Furthermore, the performance of the glass iono- mer repair materials in the atrau- matic restorative treatment tech- nique is proving to be better than what might be expected on the basis of in vitro studies of the materials’ properties. Amalgam is still widely used, par- ticularly in poorer countries. Are we prepared for amalgam-free dentistry, and what should be done to ensure there are proper alter- natives after the phase-down has been completed? I think we need to maintain the use of glass ionomers and perhaps see how these materials can be improved for this large and important group of patients. We also need to recognise that acquiring a proper understanding of the clinical performance of any material is a time-consuming process and that it can take years to obtain a full picture of how materials really behave in pa- tients. Should there be greater emphasis on the issue of dental materials in oral health campaigns and agendas around the world? Yes, there should. We know that caries is the most widespread disease in humans, so we can a safely assume that damage to teeth is equally widespread. Consequently, in my opinion, we should emphasise the role of appropriate repair materials just as much as we currently empha- sise preventative steps. Thank you very much for the inter- view. Restorative dentistry has become a two-class system An interview with Prof. John Nicolson, UK Prof. John Nicolson, UK be publishing a new issue of its well-established today newspaper on each of the six days, providing comprehensive coverage of the pre- vious day’s events. For the first time, the two publishers will be set- ting up a lecture forum at their booth—knownastheMediaLounge, a restaurant and meeting area at which leaders in dentistry conven- tionally gather during IDS. At the forum, which will seat up to 200 participants, DTI will be holding Dental Tribune Study Club lectures and press conferences through DTI Communication Services. Moreover, the publishers were informed about DDS WORLD, a website that was recently launched by DTI and promises to become the most comprehensive resource in dentistry. It is a full-service digital marketplace for products, news, e-learning and practice manage- ment, and targeted at vendors, dentists, dental technicians and patients alike. Owing to its comprehensive approach, DDS WORLD has the po- tential to become the most impor- tant platform in dentistry and will thus help DTI secure its position in the market, as the importance of online marketplaces is growing in all industries. DTI further announced the re- launch of its website, www.dental- tribune.com, which is scheduled to go live with a completely new design and layout in spring next year. DenTech 2016 26.–29.10.2016 German Pavillion Dental Material GmbH 24537 Neumünster / Germany Tel. +49 43 21 / 5 41 73 Fax +49 43 21 / 5 19 08 eMail info@promedica.de Internet www.promedica.de Visit www.promedica.de to see all our products Light-curing radiopaque calcium hydroxide • High compressive strength • Excellent adhesion, especially to composites • Effective pulp protection • Acid resistant • radiopaque Temporary crown & bridge material • less than 5 min. processing time • strong functional load • perfect long-term aesthetics • excellent biocompatibility Temporary eugenol-free luting cement • temporary attachment of crowns, bridges and inlays • safe adhesion but easy to remove by cooling • contains calcium hydroxide for pulp protection AD “ Page 3 Tel. +494321 / 54173 Fax +494321 / 51908