By Jean Furuyama, DDS

Wet bonding does not mean leaving the tooth wet after the primers are applied. The tooth should be damp when the primer is applied and then you need to thoroughly dry the primer before applying the bonding agent. The best way to dry off the tooth is to use a dedicated air syringe that has no water line attached. This way you won't get any water flowing out the syringe tip when you blow. Your dental dealer can easily install one for you, and it shouldn't cost an arm and a leg to add the dedicated air syringe.

Lacking a dedicated syringe, use your regular three-way syringe to dry off the tooth by blowing the air not directly on the tooth but on a mirror. Hold the syringe at least six inches away from the area so that any water drops will not reach the prep. This way a gentle air flow will dry off the prep.

Jean Furuyama, DDS, has been in private practice in Manhattan, N.Y., since 1981. She is a past president of the American Association of Women Dentists, a member of the New York State Dental Board, and is president of the Japanese Medical Society of America. You may contact Dr. Furuyama by e-mail at jfuruyama@aol.com.