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 Timeline

• 00:00 – Introduction: Importance of cementation for indirect restorations (veneers, crowns, onlays) and guest introduction (Dr. Gideon Fixler)
• 00:41 – Welcome to the OdontoJam Podcast
• 01:02 – Historical perspective: gold and PFM era vs. modern adhesive dentistry
• 01:31 – Shift to minimal-intervention, bonded restorations and material complexity
• 02:20 – Common pitfalls: material selection and over-complication of bonding steps
• 03:36 – Core bonding principles: etch, primer, bond, composite framework
• 04:14 – Lithium disilicate protocol: hydrofluoric acid etch, silanation, contamination management
• 06:04 – Chairside vs. lab etching and silanation workflows, ultrasonic cleaning tips
• 09:20 – Zirconia bonding: clinical reliability, MDP primers, sandblasting parameters
• 14:44 – Material selection rationale: when to choose zirconia versus lithium disilicate
• 17:46 – Resin-bonded bridges: PFM vs. zirconia frameworks and connector design
• 20:24 – Full-coverage crowns: retention versus adhesive cementation and cement choice
• 33:44 – Veneers: light-cure vs. dual-cure cements, rubber-dam isolation, sequencing
• 35:12 – Feldspathic porcelain versus lithium disilicate: aesthetic and lab skill considerations
• 36:11 – Closing remarks and key takeaways