Bisco's hydrogel may be the first

Bisco is preparing to release a hydrogel that may be the first such substance marketed for use in dentistry, according to Douglas J. Brown, D.D.S., senior manager for clinical affairs.

Bisco plans to launch Pro-V Coat, for use with dental adhesives, at the Chicago Dental Society's Midwinter Meeting in Chicago, February 26 through March 1, 2009.

A hydrogel is a network of polymer chains in which water is the dispersion medium. "Hydrogels are used a lot in medicine, but I think this is the first one for dentistry," Dr. Brown said.

Pro-V Coat can serve to prevent surfaces from bonding together. For example, in immediate dentin sealing, adhesive is applied immediately after tooth preparation. Petroleum jelly or glycerin are necessary to prevent a provisional restoration from bonding to the adhesive.

Used in place of the petroleum jelly or glycerin, Pro-V Coat has an advantage over these materials because it is can be more easily rinsed away with water, Dr. Brown said.

Pro-V Coat could also be used in preventing cement from bonding to the metal of an implant abutment. Or it could find many applications in orthodontics, Dr. Brown said.