- 4th generation adhesives are 3-step adhesive systems, involving etching, priming, and application of a hydrophobic bonding resin in three separate steps.
- 5th generation adhesives are 2-step adhesive systems, either involving etching followed by application of a combined primer-bonding resin, or the application of a combined etch-primer (self-etching primer) followed by a bonding resin.
- 6th/7th generation adhesives are 1(single)-step adhesives, involving application of etchant, primer, and bonding resin to the preparation in a single step.
- Universal adhesives are more hydrophobic 1(single)-step adhesives that are compatible with any etching technique, compatible with any restorative material or cement, and can be used for bonding both direct and indirect restorations.
- Classifying dental adhesives by generations can be confusing and ambiguous. A more logical and straightforward approach would be to classify adhesives by the number of clinical steps involved and/or by the etching method (total-etch or self-etch).
Published on Apr 30th 2014