Adhesion Beyond the Myths with Prof Bart Van Meerbeek

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In Part 2 of this series, Dr. Melissa Seibert and Professor Bart Van Meerbeek transition from foundational adhesive science into the nuanced clinical decisions that shape long-term outcomes. If Part 1 established the biological and material principles behind durable bonding, this episode addresses the gray zones clinicians navigate daily: contamination, enzymatic degradation, substrate variability, polymerization stress, and postoperative sensitivity. The discussion confronts several widely accepted assumptions and asks a more rigorous question: what does the evidence actually support?

Professor Van Meerbeek offers data-driven clarity on topics that are often ritualized rather than critically examined. From the debated role of chlorhexidine and MMP inhibition to the thermal effects of curing lights, air particle abrasion, C-factor management, and the true value of flowable composites, this conversation reframes bonding as a system rather than a single step. The message is consistent: simplification may be attractive, but substrate awareness, technique sensitivity, and respect for hydrophobic layering remain central to predictable outcomes.

The episode concludes with a forward-looking reflection on where adhesive dentistry stands today. According to Van Meerbeek, modern multi-step systems may already be operating above 90% of their theoretical potential. The future, therefore, is not merely about bonding harder but bonding smarter—possibly integrating bioactivity without compromising performance. For clinicians committed to practicing with intellectual precision rather than procedural habit, this episode provides both reassurance and recalibration.