RelyX Unicem celebrates 10 years of outstanding clinical performance

Believe it or not, it has been ten years since 3M ESPE introduced RelyX Unicem, the first self-adhesive resin cement.

Since then, the revolutionary product that combines reliable performance with easy handling has become a favourite cement of dentists around the globe. The July/August 2013 issue of The Dental Advisor gives reason to celebrate this historical event by giving RelyX Unicem the highest possible rating of five pluses for its ten-year clinical performance. The world's most clinically proven self-adhesive cement is indicated for the permanent cementation of all-ceramic, composite, or metal inlays, onlays, crowns and bridges as well as endodontic posts, and for final cementation of restorations on implant abutments. The dual-cure cement was first launched in capsules before it was introduced in the Clicker dispenser. Later an improved formula of the product became available also in an automix syringe under the brand name RelyX Unicem 2 Automix. No matter which version is selected, the material allows for a simplified cementation procedure since it is self-adhesive and highly moisture tolerant. Due to these properties, the need for any pre-treatment of the tooth like etching, priming and bonding is eliminated. At the same time, a reliable, strong bond is created. The Dental Advisor confirms the excellent overall performance of the product in the 10-year Clinical Performance Report it published in the July/August issue with a total of 6,000 anterior and posterior restorations cemented with RelyX Unicem over a 10-year period observed. At the 10-year recall, 1,311 of these were made available for examination and a clinical evaluation was conducted to determine post-op sensitivity, marginal discolouration and retention. Regarding all criteria, the cement received very good ratings, with consultants concluding that "RelyX Unicem has proven to be a reliable, self-adhesive resin cement over the ten-year period". The product received a 'five plus' evaluation and a 98% clinical rating for its excellent clinical long-term performance, a result that speaks for itself.