In the modern world, immediacy is the order of the day. We are all looking for speed and efficiency in every area of life, often choosing convenience over anything else. This has been reflected in dentistry, where professionals are continuously searching for faster ways to deliver care without compromising quality, accuracy or predictability. When treating any teeth in the posterior zone, an added challenge is achieving all of this while optimising strength and durability too. As such, the clinical techniques and restorative materials utilised will have a significant impact on treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Unlocking value
A significant number of patients attend the dental practice in search of restorative solutions.
Tooth wear is a leading cause of damage to the teeth, with over 70% of the adult UK population estimated to experience mild to severe symptoms.[i] Dental caries and periodontal diseases are also major culprits, with upwards of 50% and 80% of adults respectively developing issues in these areas.[ii]
Trauma is another factor driving patients into the dental chair needing quick and efficient restorative solutions. Affecting thousands of patients in the UK every year, dental injury is most often caused by falls, assaults, bicycle accidents, sports and road traffic incidents.[iii]
There are a number of potential advantages that are unlocked with the successful delivery of same-day restorative dentistry in all of these scenarios – once any underlying disease is under control, or is being managed. The patient typically appreciates the shorter time to teeth, with the reduced number of practice visits lowering travel costs and increasing convenience for them. They are also left without a complete smile for the shortest amount of time, which positively contributes to their self-esteem and quality of life.[iv]
For the clinician, a shorter treatment time often improves efficiencies in the daily appointment schedule and allows them to see more patients during the day. An added advantage is greater patient satisfaction, which – when properly utilised – can boost their reputation and that of the practice overall. Increased patient satisfaction and loyalty are great for the business,[v] leading to improved patient retention and securing the future sustainability of the practice.
Clinical confidence and competence
There are many factors affecting the quality and speed of restorative treatment delivered to patients. Top of the list is professional education and training completed by the dentist, who will need the knowledge and skills to perform the treatment being offered. With high-quality training and experience, clinician confidence can be improved, which has also been shown to directly impact clinical competence and the standard of outcomes achieved.[vi]
Technology
Aside from clinical skills, dentists also need access to technology and equipment that will allow them to perform restorative dentistry to the best of their ability. The digital workflow has grown significantly with regards to popularity and application in recent years, largely driven by this demand for faster and more efficient treatment solutions. The literature has suggested digital dentistry to save time during the implementation of smile design in appropriate cases,[vii] as well as in the laboratory process.[viii] There are also positive implications for patient education and medico-legal protection.vii In addition, the digital workflow is driving improved patient experiences, enhanced diagnostics and heightened customisation of treatment.[ix] The result is faster treatment, with no compromise in quality.
Materials
Just as the technology used is crucial to the quality and speed of care delivered, so too are the materials. All product characteristics should be evaluated, from ease of handling to setting time, polishability and flexural strength, ensuring that they will result in excellent restorations that patients will love.
Restorative solutions are plentiful in the dental marketplace today, but not all are made equal. The BRILLIANT Bulk Fill Flow from COLTENE represents the next generation of bulk fill composites, providing highly reliable restorations. Designed for efficiency-driven dentistry, it facilitates fast, predictable and aesthetic restorations for posterior teeth, with a dependable 4mm curing depth achieving polymerisation in just 20 seconds. With no top layer needed, high abrasion resistance and one adaptive multi-shade option, it elevates speed of workflow with no compromise in strength and longevity.
Speed without compromise
As dentistry continues to evolve and patient expectations drive the need for fast yet high-quality solutions, same-day dentistry will need to be routinely delivered by professional teams. With the right training, technology and materials, clinicians will be well-positioned to restore smiles efficiently, while still maintaining function, aesthetics and longevity.
For more information, visit
www.colteneuk.com/BRILLIANT_Bulk_Fill_Flow
email info.uk@coltene.com or call 0800 254 5115.
Author: Nicolas Coomber COLTENE National Account & Marketing Manager
[i] Li MHM, Bernabé E. Tooth wear and quality of life among adults in the United Kingdom. J Dent. 2016 Dec;55:48-53. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2016.09.013. Epub 2016 Sep 28. PMID: 27693780.
[ii] Elamin A, Ansah JP. Projecting the burden of dental caries and periodontal diseases among the adult population in the United Kingdom using a multi-state population model. Front Public Health. 2023 Sep 7;11:1190197. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1190197. PMID: 37744497; PMCID: PMC10513470.
[iii] Djemal, S., Aryafar, M., Petrie, A. et al. Traumatic dental injuries in adults attending a London-based trauma clinic in the UK: a seven-year survey. Br Dent J 233, 1022–1028 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-5313-4
[iv] Kaur P, Singh S, Mathur A, Makkar DK, Aggarwal VP, Batra M, Sharma A, Goyal N. Impact of Dental Disorders and its Influence on Self Esteem Levels among Adolescents. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017 Apr;11(4):ZC05-ZC08. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2017/23362.9515. Epub 2017 Apr 1. PMID: 28571250; PMCID: PMC5449896.
[v] Szabó RM, Buzás N, Braunitzer G, Shedlin MG, Antal MÁ. Factors Influencing Patient Satisfaction and Loyalty as Perceived by Dentists and Their Patients. Dent J (Basel). 2023 Aug 28;11(9):203. doi: 10.3390/dj11090203. PMID: 37754323; PMCID: PMC10529870.
[vi] Fine P, Leung A, Bentall C, Louca C. The impact of confidence on clinical dental practice. Eur J Dent Educ. 2019; 23: 159–167. https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.12415
[vii] Cervino G, Fiorillo L, Arzukanyan AV, Spagnuolo G, Cicciù M. Dental Restorative Digital Workflow: Digital Smile Design from Aesthetic to Function. Dent J (Basel). 2019 Mar 28;7(2):30. doi: 10.3390/dj7020030. PMID: 30925698; PMCID: PMC6632039.
[viii] Bessadet M, Drancourt N, El Osta N. Time efficiency and cost analysis between digital and conventional workflows for the fabrication of fixed dental prostheses: A systematic review. J Prosthet Dent. 2025 Jan;133(1):71-84. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2024.01.003. Epub 2024 Feb 1. PMID: 38302291.
[ix] Gawali N, Shah PP, Gowdar IM, Bhavsar KA, Giri D, Laddha R. The Evolution of Digital Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2024 Jul;16(Suppl 3):S1920-S1922. doi: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_11_24. Epub 2024 Apr 3. PMID: 39346228; PMCID: PMC11426768.
