Product Evaluation

Placed in a single step, this light-cured base and liner offers exceptional handling and bonding strength without postop sensitivity while promoting dentin remineralization

While most dentists share Dr. Karen Guo’s desire to protect the pulp and mitigate pulpal inflammation, especially in large direct restorations with extensive decay, not all dentists have had the privilege of finding a reliable solution. Fortunately for Dr. Guo, she found the solution she was hoping for—and much more—in Bio-LCB, a light-cured cavity liner and base material from Essential Dental Systems.

With a proprietary formula that bonds to dentin and other methacrylate-based restorative materials in a single step, Bio-LCB offers superior shear and compressive strengths while promoting dentin remineralization, helping to prevent secondary decay, and reducing or eliminating postop sensitivity. Its unique formula features efficient syringe dispensing and flowable handling for easy placement and adaptation.

For Dr. Guo, this translates into a “one-step, syringe-based process that is very seamless” and “viscosity that allows for very accurate placement of the liner.” After several weeks of use, Dr. Guo has had “no complaints of postop sensitivity despite large/ deep cavity preparations.” Acknowledging the need for longer-term feedback, she said, “I found the ease of use, dispensing modality, viscosity, and current clinical outcomes to be excellent!”

Dispensing, Placement and Handling

Light-curable, hydrophilic, and radiopaque, Bio- LCB offers a streamlined workflow with its syringe delivery, flowability, and 1-step bonding. “I loved how easy it was to use with very minimal steps,” shared Dr. Ryan Saunders, who said he is “excited to have a new base/liner that’s easy to use and will help with remineralization.” Dr. Scott Turik “liked the ease of placement and adaptation to the prep,” especially when used for deep preps that were hard to reach.

“The syringe tip dispensing is much easier and wastes much less product than our current catalyst/ base,” said Dr. Guo, who suggested a slightly smaller syringe tip. “The viscosity is perfect for controlling where it goes without running or being too firm,” she added. Dr. Frederick Burger found Bio-LCB “easy to use and dispense exactly where needed,” and Dr. Craig Aebli liked the small tips and said, “It flowed easily to help access small areas.”

After using the material for a patient with a poorly placed sealant that resulted in leakage on a 2nd molar, Dr. Sital Patel shared, “The ease of use allowed me to successfully place and restore the tooth.” Praising Bio-LCB for “setting quickly and beautifully,” Dr. Stephen Palmer liked the “very hard surface that’s easy to condense against,” but said it was sometimes “a tiny bit too thin when unset.”

“Minimal placement steps and good handling saved time” for Dr. John Jackfert, who said, “Bio-LCB stayed on the tooth and cured very quickly, even with a less-than-cooperative pediatric patient.” For Dr. Brandon Tiek, “the viscosity allowed for optimum coverage without peaking or running, which made the lining step simpler and more efficient.”

Pulp Protection and Dentin Remineralization

Indicated as a shock-absorbing protective base/ liner for use under composites, amalgams, and

 other cement materials, Bio-LCB resists occlusal forces for restorative longevity with low polymerization shrinkage. It can also be used as a replacement for multiple restorative materials. The proprietary UDMA-based formula forms calcium hydroxide and increases pH levels, helping to protect and maintain pulp vitality, stimulating pulpal cells to form dentin, and decreasing risk of secondary decay. Calcium phosphates release ions upon setting, which further aids remineralization, according to the manufacturer.

“Having remineralization capabilities definitely enhances my willingness to use and purchase the material,” shared Dr. Aebli, who called it “an easy-to-use material that helps protect pulp that’s close to caries while preventing postop sensitivity.” Dr. Palmer praised Bio-LCB’s “predictable, protective, therapeutic, kind-to-the-pulp, antibacterial, and biocompatible” properties.

Lack of Postop Sensitivity

Nearly all the evaluators were im­pressed with the lack of postop sensitivity, including Dr. Scott Waletzko, who said, “Bio-LCB is incredibly easy to handle with no reports of sensitivity so far. It exceeded my expectations.” Hoping for a reliable, light-cured base material for use in deep preps that doesn’t cause pulp irritation, Dr. Tiek called Bio-LCB “a very simple-to-use material that doesn’t have any clinically adverse effects.” After using Bio-LCB for several very deep caries, Dr. Aebli declared, “The patient reported no problems with sensitivity.” Similarly, Dr. Burger reported, “There have so far been no instances of postop sensitivity.”

Overall Satisfaction

Clearly impressed with Bio-LCB’s ease of use, pulpal protection, remineralization capabilities, and lack of sensitivity, all the evaluators said they would recommend Bio-LCB to colleagues, especially since it’s a low-cost option. When asked if she would purchase it in the future, Dr. Guo said, “From a financial perspective, it is a no-brainer, but I would first like to see how my patients do long term.” Dr. Egon Safar concluded, “It protects the pulp, is easy to use, binds to dentin, and helps remineralize—all with less sensitivity.” And Dr. Palmer declared, “I think Bio-LCB is one of the best bases on the market today; it should be a game changer.”