This episode focuses on Ribbond (continuous fiber) and short fiber reinforced composites. In this episode you'll learn why this may be the next big thing in restorative (operative) dentistry. Our guest today is Dr. Filip Keulemans A big focus on this podcast is how to do good, high quality restorative dentistry that lasts decades and I really believe biomimetic dentistry holds the answers. One of the things biomimetic dentistry seeks to do is overcome some of the shortcomings associated with the dental materials we have available to us. Composite, as you know is a mainstay, but we all know it shrinks. On average it shrinks about 2%. Some more, some less. And, one of the most vulnerable landmarks of the restoration is the hybrid layer. The hybrid layer, is the layer that forms when the resin monomer penetrates into the collagen fibrils of the dentin. The hybrid layer is vulnerable for a lot of reasons, but just think of the hybrid layer conceptually and you’ll see why it can succumb to delamination. You’re trying to get plastic to bond to a wet bodily tissue aka dentin. We’ve identified two challenges here - composite shrinks and we’re trying to form a bond that lasts twenty years.    This is where Ribbond, or a leno weave polyethylene fiber comes in. And, just for your awareness, I have no conflict of interest with Ribbond. In this episode you’re going to learn a lot about fiber (aka Ribbond) from prolific researcher, scientist and clinician Filip Keulemans. Just do a pubmed search on this guy. He is leading the charge in researching fiber reinforced composites. His work has been cited by hundreds and read by thousands. He has over 20 peer reviewed articles on the topic. He’ll be joining us out of Belgium.