Do we need a randomized controlled trial to assess trivial, albeit standard used, clinical steps in bonding? The answer is yes, but there are some interpretation issues.

The feasibility of generalizing and extrapolating the results of the RCT assessing the necessity of a bonding stage to the routine clinical situation is discussed in this commentary. The lack of difference in failure rate between the two procedures followed may not receive the dimensions of a directive to alter a step of the bonding process, before other factors related to the performance of the materials are considered.