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One shade for almost all cases
Dr Andreas Utterodt, Senior Scientist at Kulzer, talks about what a modern composite has to be able to accomplish and how Venus Diamond ONE and Venus Bulk Flow ONE make posterior restorations easier thanks to their single-shade concept.
What does a modern composite have to fulfil in order to be convincing in the dental practice?
The requirements for composite restorations are manifold: the material must not only provide excellent aesthetics, but also be extremely resilient with low shrinkage. These are properties that our TCD urethane composites of the Venus Diamond® and Venus® Pearl brands in particular fulfil excellently.
One challenge in the use of light-curing composites is to keep the shrinkage associated with polymerisation low in order to minimise the risk of leaks and secondary caries. The innovative cross-linking structure of the TCD urethanes that characterise the Kulzer materials makes the light-polymerised material resistant and particularly fracture-resistant while minimising shrinkage. A longer durability of a successful restoration is also economically and medically advantageous, because the longer the teeth stay healthy.
How do single-colour concepts make work easier and what advantage does a universal composite like Venus Diamond ONE therefore bring?
Science and technology are constantly evolving and enabling improvements. It is advantageous to use it to advance products and therapy concepts, but in many cases it also leads to more complexity, which can become a challenge even for experts. It is therefore understandable that there is a growing need for simplification. When materials combine many positive properties and can do more, simplification in application is also an advantage. Just as universal composites have now almost completely replaced the anterior and posterior composites that were common in the past, a simplified shade concept like Venus® Diamond ONE can now make shade selection obsolete in the posterior region. It simply matches the tooth colour as desired. I always find it fascinating what brilliant results dentists achieve with successful layering of shades and translucencies. However, the daily practice routine and the patient situation do not always allow time for the restoration of works of art, so a simpler solution with much less time expenditure and a nevertheless convincing aesthetic result fits perfectly into every practice. This is a win-win situation for users and patients. In addition, there is the advantage of clear storage and lower costs. Of course, it is also a compromise that has its limits, but it is a convincingly good solution for the majority of daily cases.
Kulzer has now further developed the single-colour concept of ONE Shade and is launching a complementary bulk-fill composite on the market in May. What distinguishes the new Venus Bulk Flow ONE and what advantages does it offer dentists?
The flowable bulk-fill composite is a consistent further development of our ONE Shade product, with which we are also responding directly to the wishes of our customers. Because after the enthusiasm for the Venus Diamond ONE Shade introduced in 2020, there was the wish that there should also be a bulk-fill material with the universal colour matching of Venus Diamond ONE. In an effort to support the work of dentists in the best possible way and to meet their needs, we developed the new bulk composite. The result is a material that is suitable for the majority of filling therapies - even for deciduous teeth - and with which dentists can obtain durable and aesthetic restorations in fewer working steps.
Venus Bulk Flow ONE is ideal for deeper cavities of up to 4mm. There is no need to choose a shade because, Venus Bulk Flow ONE simply blends in with the surrounding teeth. In just one application, the cavity is reliably filled thanks to the particularly good flowability. The new Bulk Flow composite from Kulzer does not necessarily require the usual top layer, but it can still be applied if desired. In addition, the new material is characterised by a high radiopacity.
What is important in product development to create composites such as Venus Diamond ONE and Venus Bulk Flow ONE that meet the requirements for optimal restoration and make the dentist's work easier?
Product development focuses on intensive exchange with dentists and product specialists. Our interdisciplinary teams of experts keep an eye on the market and gather information from all regions. In order to meet the needs of our customers, we need to understand the problems and challenges that can arise with dental treatment at an early stage. That's why we involve dentists early in the development process. A dentist in our team is the first customer on site and evaluates the product already in the development process. The team is constantly inspired by scientific conferences and congresses worldwide, the exchange with experts from universities as well as practising dentists and dental technicians. Looking beyond one's own nose into other areas of technology and industry also inspires product development in the search for suitable solutions.
Excerpts of the interview were first published in the DENTALZEITUNG 6/2021, S. 50-53, OEMUS MEDIA AG, Leipzig
Venus Bulk Flow ONE was initially launched in Western Europe in May 2022. Other Countries such as the USA will soon follow.
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