In First Impressions George Freedman, DDS, gives readers a brief summary of products that have recently been introduced to dentistry, based on his clinical experience.
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Esthet•X HD Restorative |
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From a clinical perspective, the selection of a composite restorative material is largely dependant on several simple concepts: the material’s ease of placement into and onto tooth surfaces, the clinical ease of selecting an aesthetically accurate shade, and the speed of finishing the restoration to a highly polished surface, preferably one that endures through extended oral function. DENTSPLY Caulk, a pioneer in nanofiller technology, has introduced Esthet•X HD Restorative, a new high-definition micromatrix restorative material that is the culmination of years of research and experience in the field. The composite has a newly optimized filler particle distribution that provides outstanding handling properties. It is nonsticky and highly sculptable and stays where it is placed in or on the tooth surface. Shade selection has been simplified. First, visualize the correct shade 3-dimensionally with the Esthet•X TruMatch Shade Guide. Then select a single or multiple shades to build up the restoration. Both approaches provide excellent aesthetic results. The multiple shade approach is based upon 7 opaque dentin shades that provide an aesthetic starting point, 19 body shades that impart chameleon-like properties that serve to take on the coloration of the surrounding dentin and enamel, and 5 translucent enamel shades to restore the vitality of natural enamel. The composite exhibits wear properties that are similar to that of natural enamel, high radiopacity for easy radiographic diagnosis, and excellent fracture toughness. Esthet•X HD is suitable for all direct restorations, both posterior and anterior. After polymerization, the restoration is quickly and easily polished to a brilliant finish that is highly durable under the most trying of oral conditions. Esthet•X HD brings high definition to dental restorations. For more information, call (800) 532-2855, or visit dentsply.com. |
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FlashLite Magna |
  The curing light is a universal tool of the practice. Dental practitioners, as well as other members of the dental team, use curing lights many times every day for a variety of purposes including polymerization, diagnostics, bleaching, and a host of other important clinical tasks. Some of the most important parameters for selecting dental curing lights are the range of output (hich composite resin initiators will it activate?), the level of the output (must have enough to cure composites to an acceptable depth but not so much that tooth structures or soft tissues are overly heated), the width of the beam (it is desirable to cure an entire dental surface in a single application), and the comfort and practicality of the unit. Discus Dental has introduced the FlashLite Magna curing light. Powered by 3 high-intensity LEDs that deliver an output of 1,500 mW/cm2, advanced built-in optics help to maintain the target output level even at a distance from the tooth surface. The high-quality LED bulbs cure all camphoroquinone materials quickly and efficiently. The FlashLite Magna’s beam is 11 mm wide, making it useful for a wide variety of restorative procedures, including the largest central anterior veneers. Ergonomically designed, it is 8.5 inches in length and feather-light at 4.3 oz. The cordless FlashLite Magna is practical to use throughout the office, and a fully charged advanced lithium-ion battery should power almost 200 ten-second cures, assuring hours of hassle-free operation. Its slide-in replaceable lens cap system permits ready access to all areas of the oral cavity. The portable FlashLite Magna curing light’s ergonomic pen style and light weight both reduce operator fatigue.For more information, call (800) 422-9448 or visit discusdental.com. |
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GRADIA CORE |
 Current adhesive dentistry techniques require that a core build-up material be bondable to both remaining tooth structure (dentin and enamel) and the post material. Ideally, the physical properties of the core composite, such as elasticity and flexure, should be similar to both the tooth structure and the post material as well. Last but not least, to facilitate abutment preparation, its cutting characteristics should be similar to dentin. GC America has recently introduced GRADIA CORE. The concept is to simplify chairside post-and-core procedures: it is easily automixed with a single hand. After the application of the 2-component, self-etching adhesive system to the tooth surfaces, GRADIA CORE’s viscosity allows this product to be utilized as both the post cement and the core build-up material. As it is injected around the post, and further occlusally to build up the core, its excellent flow properties prevent the development of bubbles and air voids. As the core, it has a high compressive strength that provides excellent support for the overlying crown. GRADIA CORE exhibits high bond strengths to enamel, dentin, and GC fiber posts. Its elasticity is similar to both the natural dentin material and the post. This prevents functional forces on the crown from stressing the tooth-restorative and restorative-post interfaces, increasing durability in clinical situations. GRADIA CORE offers the practitioner a dual-cure option. While a 3-minute working time is available if required, light curing polymerizes the core within seconds. The core’s color is very similar to tooth color, an aesthetic advantage with partially translucent crown materials. GRADIA CORE’s high radiopacity, almost 3 times that of aluminum, makes it readily apparent radiographically. For more information, call (800) 323-7063 or visit gcamerica.com. |
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Spee-Dee Build-Up |
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While post cementation and core build-up procedures are fairly common in the dental practice, there are many other situations that require a quick and technique-insensitive patching. The ideal restorative material for these situations must be biocompatible, easy to use, and should adhere to enamel, dentin, composites, and ceramics. Pulpdent has introduced its Spee-Dee Build-Up multipurpose core and tooth replacement material. It is a fluoride-releasing, dual-cured restorative material that is highly radiopaque for excellent visibility on x-rays. From an adhesive perspective, it is moisture-tolerant (a real plus when considering the wet environment of the mouth) self-etching, and self-adhesive to dentin. The Spee-Dee one-step post cementation and core build-up technique offers a strong and homogeneous single-component internal structure. It can also be used as a direct bonded core and as a vital tooth buildup prior to crown preparation. The Spee-Dee built-up tooth cuts and prepares exactly like dentin. The practitioner will find a smooth transition of rotary instruments from tooth to the restorative that will cut accurately without ditching, gouging, or gumming up the bur. It is excellent for the repair of lost restorations, splints, or as a patch for broken cusps. Clinically, Spee-Dee’s unique moisture-tolerant resin technology makes the use of acid etching techniques, as well as bonding agents, entirely optional. This eliminates several expensive time-consuming steps from the overall restorative procedure. The convenient automix cartridge offers single-handed application, while the angled tips position the Spee-Dee exactly where it is required. Speed up your practice with Spee-Dee Build-Up.For more information, call (800) 343-4342 or visit pulpdent.com. |
Dr. Freedman is a founder and past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a co-founder of the Canadian Academy for Esthetic Dentistry, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry. He is a visiting professor at the Universita di Firenze, Florence, Italy. He is the Special Advisor of First Impressions and Buyers’ Guides for Dentistry Today. He is the author or co-author of 11 textbooks, more than 600 dental articles, and numerous Webinars and CDs, and is a Team Member of REALITY. He lectures internationally on dental aesthetics, adhesion, desensitization, composites, impression materials, and porcelain veneers. A graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Dr. Freedman maintains a private practice limited to aesthetic dentistry in Toronto. He can be reached at (905) 513-9191 or epdot@rogers.com.
