Dentistry is evolving faster than ever and staying ahead means more than just knowing what's new. It means understanding why change matters and how the right materials and techniques can transform everyday clinical outcomes. In his recent VOCO-sponsored webinar, "The Revolution of Change: State of the Art Materials for Outstanding Patient Outcomes," Dr. Ron Kaminer made a compelling case for embracing innovation without abandoning the fundamentals. Known for his straightforward, chair-side teaching style and over 30 years of hands-on experience, Dr. Kaminer walked attendees through the common errors that quietly undermine restorative results and introduced some standout solutions, from a revolutionary curing light to a next-generation composite designed to simplify your workflow from shade selection to final polish.
Here are three highlights from the session:
Highlight 1: Stop Cutting Corners on Curing
One of the biggest takeaways from Dr. Kaminer's presentation was the critical role that proper light curing plays in restoration longevity and how often it goes wrong. He was candid about the consequences:
"If you improperly cure with our traditional LED curing lights, we're going to get what we call bottom stress debonding, and that's going to cause longevity issues and sensitivity issues."
His recommendation? Know the health of your curing light and invest in a reliable one. He also shared a clever, low-cost tip for checking cure depth using Peppermint Lifesavers, something worth stealing for your practice.
Highlight 2: The Adhesive Stage Is Where Most Restorations Are Won or Lost
Before a single increment of composite is placed, the adhesive stage sets the foundation for everything that follows. Dr. Kaminer was emphatic that this is where many clinicians, experienced and new alike, quietly make their biggest mistakes. From not reading manufacturer instructions to applying too few coats, the errors add up. His advice on technique was direct:
"I would say you flood that restoration with adhesive... flood it. Put on multiple coats and make the surface shiny when it's all said and done."
He also stressed the importance of proper air drying. Not blasting the adhesive with a direct burst of air, but holding the syringe five to eight millimeters away and drying slowly to ensure proper monomer evaporation and even adhesive spread. Simple adjustments, he argued, that make a measurable difference in bond strength and long-term restoration success.
Highlight 3: GrandioSO 4U — The Composite That Does It All
The session wrapped with an in-depth look at VOCO's newest composite, GrandioSO 4U, which Dr. Kaminer has been using in his practice. With over 91% filler content, only 1.44% polymerization shrinkage, and just five shades covering all 16 VITA shades, it checks a lot of boxes including inventory simplification. But what Dr. Kaminer noted that really sets it apart is its Visual Transformation Technology (VTT):
"The material is translucent before light polymerization... once the light passes through and hits it, it becomes this natural, tooth-like opaque color, and it becomes highly esthetics. You kind of get the best of both worlds."
His clinical case photos showed restorations that simply disappeared into the tooth structure, anterior and posterior alike.
Watch the Full Webinar On Demand
If you missed the live session, you can still experience Dr. Kaminer's hands-on tips, real clinical case examples, and informative Q&A. Click the link to watch the full webinar on demand and gain practical insight into refining your restorative technique, from adhesive application to shade selection, one consistent routine at a time.