What is the recommended bonding agent for re-cementing a dislodged veneer in a healthy adult patient in a dental office setting?

Recommended Bonding Agent for Re-cementing Dislodged Veneers

For re-cementing a dislodged veneer in a healthy adult, use a resin-based cement with proper surface preparation—specifically Panavia-based systems or RelyX Veneer cement demonstrate superior performance for veneer cementation. 1, 2, 3

Surface Preparation Protocol

The success of veneer re-cementation depends critically on proper surface preparation:

• Sandblast the ceramic intaglio surface with 50-μm Al₂O₃ particles to create micromechanical retention and increase bonding surface area 1, 4
• Apply silane coupling agent to the sandblasted ceramic surface and allow proper reaction time per manufacturer instructions 1
• Ensure the silanized surface remains uncontaminated until cementation—this is crucial for bond integrity 1, 4

Critical Moisture Control Requirements

Moisture control is the single most important factor determining restoration success or failure:

• Achieve absolute moisture control and complete dryness of the prepared tooth surface—moisture will prevent proper adhesion and cause restoration failure 1, 5
• For resin-based cements, absolute moisture control is mandatory—these materials are highly moisture-sensitive and require dry surfaces 5
• Do not proceed with adhesive cementation if complete dryness cannot be achieved, as moisture contamination is a primary cause of restoration failure 5

Cement Selection and Performance

Based on the highest quality recent evidence:

• Panavia Veneer LC demonstrated superior bond strength at both initial (58.72 MPa) and 6-month (59.13 MPa) time points in 2025 research 2
• RelyX Veneer cement produced the smallest marginal and internal discrepancies when compared to Variolink-N cement for veneer cementation 3
• Panavia EX provided the most excellent marginal fit and had the highest tensile strength (4-5 times greater than conventional cements) with the least marginal opening at the crown/abutment interface 6
• Variolink II showed the highest first and second bond strength to dentin (15.3 ± 2.2 MPa and 10.4 ± 2.2 MPa respectively) in repeated bonding scenarios 7

Application Technique

• Use the minimum necessary amount of cement—avoid excessive cement that could pool in margins and cause complications 1, 4, 5
• Ensure all surfaces are completely dry before applying adhesive materials, as this is non-negotiable for resin-based systems 1, 5

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Never contaminate the silanized ceramic surface after treatment and before cementation 1, 4
• Never apply excessive adhesive that could pool in margins 4, 5
• Do not use resin-based materials without adequate moisture control—if isolation is impossible, this is a contraindication for resin cementation 5