Dental aesthetics have become especially important to clinicians and patients alike in recent years, and ensuring restorations blend seamlessly with the existing dentition is vital for a successful outcome.[i] Difficulties arise with the array of natural tooth shades that a person can have, how they change in different lights, and how the hue, chroma and value (three variables for tooth colour)i can differ even across adjacent teeth.
When devising an effective approach for a composite restoration, a clinician needs materials which can adequately replicate the appearance of a natural tooth. This has previously meant a range of composite materials kept in the practice’s inventory, ready for when their shade is called upon.
But clinicians who use the 3M™ Filtek™ Easy Match Universal Restorative from Solventum can see things differently. With just three shades of composite material to call upon, one would be mistaken to call this limiting – a unique formulation opens up a world of possibilities.
Adapt and overcome
A challenge faced by many dental professionals is ensuring the correct shade of restorative is chosen to produce the most aesthetic result. Minimising the risk of instinctive distortions of colour perception has led to professionals taking steps such as avoiding brightly-coloured practice spaces, drapes used to obscure clothing and jewellery that could interfere, and even asking patients to remove lipstick – this is all before choosing between materials dedicated to a singular colour in a shade guide, of which the commonly-used Vita Classical Shade Guide has 16.i
The 3M™ Filtek™ Easy Match Universal Restorative features just Bright, Natural and Warm shades. The Natural shade matches most patients’ smiles, and Warm and Bright will suit the rest. This enables clinicians to observe and match using their intuition, making material selection an often-effortless task.
Plus, unlike some competitive single-shade composites, the 3M™ Filtek™ Easy Match Universal Restorative doesn’t need a blocker. Instead, a naturally adaptive opacity allows for controlled aesthetics across every aspect of the tooth. It delivers dentine-like opacity at thicknesses greater than 2mm, and enamel-like translucency at thicknesses of 0.5-1mm. This creates a seamless appearance wherever needed, on the bevel and incisal edge.
Across the dentition
Aesthetics aren’t only required in the anterior dentition. Patients with posterior amalgam restorations may be unhappy with even the flash of silver that they see in the mirror, and request a composite addition in a load-bearing site.
The 3M™ Filtek™ Easy Match Universal Restorative is indicated for use throughout both the anterior and posterior dentition, including on occlusal surfaces, as well as in core build-ups. Its excellent wear resistance and strength ensures professionals can be confident in a long-lasting result in a range of clinical circumstances.
This once again emphasises the opportunity to slim down the clinical inventory, choosing the 3M™ Filtek™ Easy Match Universal Restorative and any complementary solutions for a streamlined choice of effective solutions. It provides the same performance and handling as other renowned Filtek™ Dental Restoratives, meaning professionals are choosing a solution they can trust.
Clinicians can get in touch with the Solventum team for advice and guidance on the best use of the aesthetic restorative, and realise its ability to streamline conventional restorative workflows. By choosing such a solution, professionals ensure their patients receive care that they can be proud to provide – meaning each individual can leave the practice with a smile to show the world.
To learn more about Solventum, please visit https://www.solventum.com/en-gb/home/oral-care/
For more updates on trends, information and events follow us on Instagram at @solventumdentalUK and @solventumorthodonticsemea
©Solventum 2024. Solventum, the S logo and Filtek are trademarks of Solventum and its affiliates. 3M is a trademark of 3M company.
About Solventum
Solventum, enabling better, smarter, safer healthcare to improve lives. As a new company with a long legacy of creating breakthrough solutions for our customers’ toughest challenges, we pioneer game-changing innovations at the intersection of health, material and data science that change patients’ lives for the better while enabling healthcare professionals to perform at their best. Because people, and their wellbeing, are at the heart of every scientific advancement we pursue. We partner closely with the brightest minds in healthcare to ensure that every solution we create melds the latest technology with compassion and empathy. Because at Solventum, we never stop solving for you.
[i] Alnusayri, M. O., Sghaireen, M. G., Mathew, M., Alzarea, B., Bandela, V., & Sghaireen, M. G. (2022). Shade selection in esthetic dentistry: A review. Cureus, 14(3).
