New Composite Restorative Material Offers Simplified Shading and Two Viscosity Choices

To simplify decision-making and to offer a composite that can ensure excellent performance in all clinical situations, Dentsply Sirona Restorative produced TPH Spectra® Universal Composite. This composite is based on the resin technology of TPH®3 and contains nanohybrid and microfiller components. The result is a composite that can perform well in either the anterior or posterior, and has tooth-like translucency, improved polishability and color stability, and good wear resistance. TPH Spectra also comes in two handling choices: a creamy, light-viscosity formulation, and a packable high-viscosity formulation. For both viscosities, the physical properties are similar. Because handling preference is subjective and highly individualized, the practitioners are now able to select the right viscosity for all clinical situations.

In order to make shade selection simpler, TPH Spectra is available in the seven most popular shades: A1, A2, A3.5, A4, B1, and C2. According to Dentsply Sirona Restorative’s internal data, the seven shades of TPH Spectra represent more than 80% of total sales from the previous TPH3 formulation. The TPH Spectra shade guide was condensed because some practitioners may be overwhelmed with the number of current shades; the Vita Classic (Vident) shade guide has 16 shades, and the TPH3 shade guide has 26. Table 1 shows that it will be possible to cover all the Vita shades with the existing TPH Spectra offerings.

TPH Spectra also offers excellent color blending between restorative materials and natural tooth structure, often called, “the chameleon effect.” Again, building and improving from the previous TPH3 composite formulation, TPH Spectra has a refractive index that falls directly between enamel (1.63) and dentin (1.54). Because of TPH Spectra’s excellent translucent properties and an appropriate refractive index similar to natural tooth structure, it will have an excellent chameleon effect and create restorations that are unable to be detected.

With the introduction of TPH Spectra by Dentsply Sirona Restorative, dentists now have one material that can be used for all situations. As a result, no longer do practitioners need to struggle with decisions of shading or selecting the material with the most appropriate physical properties. TPH Spectra’s characteristics and excellent chameleon effect will provide the dentist and patient with predictable results not only during chairside placement but for years to come.

“ I tried the TPH Spectra in the anterior and posterior. I liked the feel of the HV in the posterior. It worked well as a top layer for SureFil SDR flow+. The high viscosity was nice for building anatomy, especially for steep cusps/deep fossae. I wanted to see if the chameleon effect really had any basis. I had an anterior cosmetic case where porcelain restorations may have been appropriate but due to financial concerns, we opted for bonded diastema closures. In past cases like this, I would have used multiple opacities and shades to accomplish the diastema closures. To test the chameleon affect, I restored the entire case using only TPH Spectra LV Shade A2. The results were very good—a very nice shade match and blending. The patient was very pleased. I am very pleased with the TPH Spectra shade blending potential and also liked the handling—no instrument sticking, nice and creamy."

Susan McMahon, DMD
Pittsburgh, PA

For more information, contact:
Dentsply Sirona Restorative
800-532-2855
www.tphspectra.com