Choosing the Right Adhesive: A Review of Strategies for Composite Bonding to Glass Ionomers and Calcium Silicate-based Cements

Managing deep carious lesions has become increasingly complex due to the introduction of numerous materials and techniques. This review addresses contemporary concepts regarding selecting adhesive agents at the interface between glass ionomer cements (GICs) or calcium silicate-based cements (CSCs) and resin composite restoration in laminate and layered restorations. The published literature was retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus by using specific keywords “adhesive agents,” “TheraCal LC,” “Biodentine,” “Glass ionomer,” “bond strength,” “sandwich technique,” “etch-and-rinse,” “self-etch,” “universal adhesive,” and “bonding.” The list of references from each identified article was examined to find other potentially relevant articles. Results: For GICs, self-etch adhesives (SE) appear more beneficial than etch and rinse adhesives (ER). The ER, or Universal adhesive (UA) used in the self-etch mode, might be recommended if the final composite is placed in a subsequent session after Biodentine has fully set. TheraCal LC, on the other hand, tends to yield higher bond strengths when used in conjunction with ER or UA systems in SE mode. Overall, selecting adhesive agents for laminate and layered restorations depends on various factors, including the specific materials used, the desired clinical outcome, and the setting time available. While some trends suggest the superiority of certain adhesive systems, the literature remains inconclusive for specific materials. Further research is needed to establish definitive guidelines for adhesive selection in these complex clinical scenarios.