Building on Success

In dentistry, new product development is all about helping dentists serve their patients better. This clearly was one of the motives behind the development of GC America's newest member of its clinically proven EQUIA^® family of products, EQUIA Forte^® HT. The manufacturer, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, has a long and notable history in developing glass-ionomer dental restoratives. This product, a bulk-fill glass-hybrid long-term restorative system introduced in 2019, builds on that success.

I have been privileged to work with the GC team for a number of years and am honored that they've asked me to introduce this special supplement to Compendium. It describes the glass-hybrid technology used to create this new restorative system, which provides enhanced mechanical properties, increased fluoride release, excellent handling, and improved translucency. Case examples demonstrating glass-hybrid restorations in pediatric patients and in permanent posterior teeth are also provided.

Offering better esthetics than past versions of EQUIA, this latest restorative product is durable and versatile. EQUIA Forte HT can be used in children, adults, geriatric patients, and high-risk caries patients due to its glass-hybrid technology that features intelligent particle size distribution and a synergistic coat. For the clinician, it handles extremely well, making daily restorative work easy and efficient. It eliminates the need for rubber dam placement and adhesive application, and a new easy-to-use dispensing unit allows for convenient one-hand use.

Once again, innovative product development is making the dentist's job easier and helping to improve patient outcomes. I hope clinicians will find this publication useful as they strive to provide their patients the best dentistry they possibly can.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Margeas, DDS
Adjunct Professor, Department of Operative Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Private Practice, Des Moines, Iowa