#31 Cementation and Bonding with Dr. Gidon Fixler (Prosthodontist)

In this episode of the ODONTOJAM Podcast, Dr. Jesse Liang sits down with prosthodontist Dr. Gideon Fixler to demystify bonding and cementation of indirect restorations. They trace the evolution from PFM and gold crowns to today’s adhesive-driven, minimal-intervention ceramics. Dr. Fixler breaks down the four pillars of adhesive cementation (etch, primer, bond, composite), shares detailed protocols for lithium disilicate and zirconia, and offers practical tips on chairside etching, silanation, and sandblasting. They also compare material choices—from veneers to resin-bonded bridges and full-coverage crowns—arming general dentists with actionable strategies to optimize their bonding workflows.Episode Timeline00:00 – Introduction: Importance of cementation for indirect restorations (veneers, crowns, onlays) and guest introduction (Dr. Gideon Fixler)00:41 – Welcome to the OdontoJam Podcast01:02 – Historical perspective: gold and PFM era vs. modern adhesive dentistry01:31 – Shift to minimal-intervention, bonded restorations and material complexity02:20 – Common pitfalls: material selection and over-complication of bonding steps03:36 – Core bonding principles: etch, primer, bond, composite framework04:14 – Lithium disilicate protocol: hydrofluoric acid etch, silanation, contamination management06:04 – Chairside vs. lab etching and silanation workflows, ultrasonic cleaning tips09:20 – Zirconia bonding: clinical reliability, MDP primers, sandblasting parameters14:44 – Material selection rationale: when to choose zirconia versus lithium disilicate17:46 – Resin-bonded bridges: PFM vs. zirconia frameworks and connector design20:24 – Full-coverage crowns: retention versus adhesive cementation and cement choice33:44 – Veneers: light-cure vs. dual-cure cements, rubber-dam isolation, sequencing35:12 – Feldspathic porcelain versus lithium disilicate: aesthetic and lab skill considerations36:11 – Closing remarks and key takeaways