Kerr SonicFill™
Create superior posterior restorations in less than 3 minutes.
One of the most challenging duties a dentist can perform is to quickly and efficiently restore a posterior tooth with an artificial material. In the past, amalgam was frequently used as it allowed a practitioner to condense the material into the cavity preparation, thus pushing against the adjacent tooth to create a firm and appropriate contact form.
When composite materials were introduced, they quickly became the preference of patients and dentists alike for their superior esthetics. However, the challenge in using composite materials is that, currently, all polymers shrink during polymerization and can leave the contact between the adjacent teeth less than ideal. Additionally, because of polymerization shrinkage and stress, multiple layers must be placed and cured independently in order to compensate for shrinkage. Obviously, this is time consuming and very frustrating, particularly if multiple teeth are being treated.
Current Posterior Techniques
Many different approaches have been used in order to overcome these challenges. Using glass ionomer as a base with a traditional resin material over it is one effective technique, but it too can require time and multiple layers (Figure 1). Lower-stress, bulk-fill flowable composites have been developed that decrease polymerization stress, as well as the time required for placement. The drawback is that they typically require a layer of stronger, universal composite over the top (Figure 2). And more recently, self-adhering flowable materials (a flowable composite with an adhesive incorporated into it) have become available to reduce the time spent administering the adhesive into the tooth. Self-adhering flowables still require multiple-layering techniques along with a universal composite as the top finishing layer.
An Inspired Approach
While all of the aforementioned techniques are effective and perfectly acceptable options for restoring posterior cavities, they still require time, effort, and concentration. Now there is an easy option that will allow clinicians to place a definitive posterior restoration in one step for cavities up to 5 mm. The use of sonic energy technology will dramatically improve the time of placement, making posterior resin-based fillings less stressful and significantly faster.
Introducing SonicFill™
SonicFill™ is a unique system that provides clinicians with a faster, more efficient method to bulk fill posterior cavities in a manner that simplifies the process without compromising quality. Comprised of a specially designed handpiece and new composite material in Unidose tips, sonic activation of the composite dramatically lowers viscosity, making placement fast and easy. Dentists can go from placement to a polished restoration in less than 3 minutes, making a tedious procedure simple and more profitable.
The SonicFill system’s composite incorporates a highly filled proprietary resin with special modifiers that react to sonic energy. As sonic energy is applied through the handpiece, the modifier causes the viscosity to drop (up to 87%), increasing the flowability of the composite, enabling quick placement and precise adaptation to the cavity walls. When the sonic energy is stopped, the composite returns to a more viscous, non-slumping state that is perfect for carving and contouring.
Placement of SonicFill™
Outstanding mechanical properties—including superior strength, low shrinkage, and high depth of cure—allow the composite to be placed in bulk increments up to 5 mm so that dentists can use it with confidence in posterior restorations (Figure 3). The SonicFill technique involves normal preparation of the cavity. Traditional total-etch or self-etch adhesives are used based upon clinician preference. The SonicFill handpiece is attached to the air/water line using a coupler adaptor, and then activated by a traditional rheostat pedal. Adaptors make this easy to attach to existing systems.
The dispensing rate/speed is set with the switch at the base of the handpiece. Setting 5 is the fastest speed; setting 1 is slowest. With the Unidose® composite tip in the deepest part of the preparation to avoid trapping air, the SonicFill handpiece is activated by depressing the foot pedal and the entire cavity is filled from bottom to top until full (up to 5 mm). Once the handpiece is removed, the material is easily manipulated to conform to the tooth and then light-cured. Just one application is needed for cavities 5 mm or less. Final contours are easily achieved and a high polish is accomplished using typical methods.
The Future of Posterior Restorations
With Kerr’s unique SonicFill system, placing posterior restorations is no longer a tedious procedure that cuts into the dentist’s valuable time and profits. SonicFill is the first and only easy to use, single-step, bulk-fill composite system that does not require an additional capping layer, allowing the clinician to go from placement to polished restoration in less than 3 minutes on cavities up to 5 mm. With SonicFill system’s extraordinary strength, low shrinkage and high depth of cure, quality does not need to be sacrificed for speed.
Acknowledgement
This article was written by Scott Parker, DDS of Redmond, Washington. Case images courtesy of Dr. Ron Jackson, DDS..
For More Information, contact:
Kerr Dental
Phone: 800-KERR-123
Web: www.kerrdental.com
Disclaimer
The preceding material was provided by the manufacturer. The statements and opinions contained therein are solely those of the manufacturer and not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dentistry.
