Abstract:

This workshop explores advanced strategies for achieving durable, predictable adhesive interfaces in restorative dentistry. Participants will refine bonding techniques using universal and multi-step adhesives, with a focus on optimising resin–dentine adhesion. Key topics include simplified multi-step approaches, chlorhexidine application to enhance bond stability, and the use of bioactive restorative systems. Special emphasis is placed on managing deep dentine, reducing interfacial gaps, and improving longevity. Practical guidance will be provided on composites, glass ionomer-based and bulk-fill materials, silver diamine fluoride and effective polymerisation protocols, integrating evidence-based concepts with clinical techniques to enhance restoration performance and biological integration.

Introduction:

This course provides clinicians with an advanced yet practical approach to achieving durable and predictable adhesion in restorative dentistry. As adhesive failures remain a primary cause of restoration replacement, understanding how to optimise the resin–tooth interface is essential for improving long-term clinical outcomes. This workshop bridges current scientific evidence with everyday clinical practice, offering participants clear strategies to enhance bond strength, reduce degradation, and promote biological integration. Participants will explore the behaviour of enamel and dentine substrates, with particular attention to the challenges of bonding to deep dentine. The course highlights the effective use of modern adhesive systems, including universal and multi-step approaches, while introducing innovative strategies such as simplified multi-layer bonding and matrix preservation techniques. In addition, the role of bioactive restorative materials and adjunctive treatments will be examined, providing new perspectives on achieving more stable and functional restorations. Through a combination of theory and practical insights, this course aims to equip clinicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the longevity of restorations, optimise clinical protocols, and deliver more predictable, patient-centred outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand enamel prism orientation and its impact on predictable resin bonding to etched enamel surfaces.
• Differentiate between various etching and bonding strategies (selective etching, self-etching, universal adhesives) and apply them purposefully in clinical practice.
• Implement advanced techniques to enhance resin-dentine interface longevity, including multi-step bonding, chlorhexidine application, and bioactive restorative systems.
• Apply evidenced-based protocol to minimize gap formation and postoperative hypersensitivity, using appropriate restorative ion-releasing bulk-fill materials.
• Understand and optimize polymerization protocols for adhesive and restorative materials, including selecting appropriate curing parameters (light intensity, wavelength, and exposure time) and techniques to ensure an adequate degree of conversion while minimizing polymerization shrinkage stress and interfacial gap formation.

Who should attend:

• GP Dentists with special interests in the topic
• Specialists Dentists with special interests in the topic
• Dental Students
• Residents/Interns

Course Outline:

09:00 – 10:00 Lecture: Fundamental Principles of Adhesion in Dentistry
This session will provide a comprehensive scientific foundation for adhesive dentistry, focusing on the interaction between dental substrates and modern adhesive systems.
10:00 – 11:00 Lecture: Advanced Strategies to Improve Bond Durability and Restoration Longevity.
This lecture will focus on evidence-based strategies to enhance the effectiveness of bonding and reduce degradation over time.
11:00 – 12:00 Hands-on: Adhesive Techniques and Substrate Management.
Participants will apply theoretical concepts using extracted teeth or simulation  models.
12:00 – 13:00 Hands-on: Bioactive Restorations and Advanced Clinical Protocols.
This session focuses on restorative procedures. Emphasising gap reduction, materials selection, and clinical performance.

Demonstration and Workshop:

Steps/Outline, and the provided materials and equipment.

A.The hands-on workshop is designed to allow participants to apply advanced adhesive techniques in a controlled clinical simulation environment. Attendees will perform selective enamel etching, self-etch bonding, and multi-step adhesive protocols on standardised tooth specimens. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the interactions between adhesive systems and dental substrates, enabling participants to refine their technique to achieve consistent outcomes. Participants will practice placement of both conventional and bulk-fill resin composites, as well as glass ionomer-based and bulk-fill materials, focusing on proper adaptation, layering (when required), and polymerisation protocols. Guided exercises will address critical challenges such as managing deep dentine permeability, minimising postoperative sensitivity, and preventing marginal gap formation. The workshop will also include practical use of chlorhexidine and bioactive materials to enhance long-term bond durability. Faculty supervision will ensure individualised feedback, reinforce correct techniques, and troubleshoot common errors. By the end of the session, participants will have improved manual skills, greater confidence in material selection, and a deeper understanding of how to integrate evidence-based adhesive strategies into daily clinical practice for durable, biologically sound restorations.

1. Provided Materials and Equipment (for each participant):
1. Extracted or simulated teeth mounted in holders
2. Adhesive systems (etch-and-rinse, self-etch, universal adhesives)
3. Restorative materials (composites, bulk-fill, GIC, RMGIC, adhesives, conventional and flow composite)
4. Light-curing unit with calibrated output
5. Finishing and polishing instruments (discs, burs, strips)
6. Silver Diamine fluoride
2. Procedure and Demonstration Steps:
1. Adequate Enamel Preparation: Enamel prisms orientation in various areas of the tooth is required for predictable resin bonding to etched enamel
2. Substrate evaluation and selection of appropriate adhesive strategy
3. Purposefully etching/bonding approaches:
   -Enamel/dentine selective etching and primer-&-bond adhesives
   -Enamel selective etching and self-priming or primer-&-bond adhesives
   -Self-etching bonding in enamel/dentine with universal and multi-step adhesives
   -Enamel/dentine selective etching with universal and multi-step self-etch adhesives
   -Enamel selective etching with universal and multi-step self-etch adhesives
4. Strategems for long-lasting resin-dentine interfaces:
   -Simultaneous simplified multi-step bonding technique
   -Use of chlorhexidine with self-etch and etch-&-rinse adhesives
   -Bioactive restorative systems
5. Silver Diamine Flouride –
6. Deep dentine permeability and post-operative hypersensitivity
7. Bioactive Restorations – reduction of gap formations:
8. Conventional and bulk-fill composites
9. GIC, RMGIC Restorative – when and how
10. Polymerisation protocol and control of the O2-inhibited oxygen layer
3.  Materials to be brought by participant (if required):
1. Glide path management
2. Shaping
3. Finishing
4. Ledge management with manual files
5. Ledge management with rotary files
4. Materials to be brought by participant (if required):
1. Personal magnification (loupes or operating glasses)
2. Clinical hand instruments (if Preferred)

About the Speaker:

Prof. Dr. Salvatore Sauro, former president of the DMG-IADR group, is a Full Professor of Dental Biomaterials and Minimally Invasive Dentistry at Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Valencia and he lead the BIODENT-REG research group. He earned his PhD at King’s College London, where he continued as a postdoctoral researcher and research associate. With over 20 years of experience (H-index 49), he has published more than 210 per reviewed papers. His research focuses on minimally invasive dentistry and on the development of bioactive and biomimetic materials for tissue regeneration, scaffolds designed to promote remineralisation, pulp healing, and bone regeneration in advanced regenerative dentistry.

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