ACTIVA BioACTIVE: Cementation Simplified
Some of the most intriguing and impactful developments in indirect restorative dentistry involve the cements used to seat the restorations that laboratories create—especially those involving bioactivity.
“Dentists are increasingly aware of the advantages of bioactive materials that provide direct benefits to their patients,” says Fred Berk, Vice President of Pulpdent Corporation. “Instead of passive materials designed to do no harm, dentists are moving toward dynamic, bioactive materials designed to play an active role in helping teeth stay healthy.”
That demand led Pulpdent to develop ACTIVA BioACTIVE-CEMENT, which supports the natural remineralizion process and helps seal margins against microleakage. The moisture-friendly, self-adhesive cement will not wash out and is indicated for all indirect applications except veneers. It is compatible with all substrates. The result is a simplified cementation procedure and reduced inventory and waste.
“Pulpdent is the leader in bioactive dental materials,” Berk says. “After introducing ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE and BASE/LINER, dentists asked us for a cement with the same bioactive properties.”
Pulpdent's research-and-development process is evolving and cumulative, and ACTIVA was developed over the course of almost 20 years.
“The mouth is a wet environment, but traditional dental resins are hydrophobic,” Berk says. “Our scientists developed resin materials that are moisture tolerant and work favorably in the moist oral environment. This had never been done before.
“Traditional composites and bisacrylics are brittle. We synthesized and patented a new rubberized-urethane molecule that takes the brittleness out of dental resins and provides far greater toughness, fracture resistance, deflection at break, flexural strength, and flexural fatigue values than all other dental materials.
“We are continually processing glass and silica fillers for composite materials. Our research scientists began to put these various chemistries and fillers together to develop products for various dental applications. This is how ACTIVA was born.”
The primary goal for ACTIVA is to help improve dentistry by providing clinicians with a bioactive cement that is moisture-tolerant, insoluble, easy to handle, and easy to remove when there is excess.
“The ideal cement should provide secure cementation, avoid chipping and wash out, and have the added advantage of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride release and recharge,” Berk says. “Additionally, it should be versatile and should absorb shock and stress—like a ligament—which the rubberized-urethane component delivers.”
Initial feedback about ACTIVA has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Many dentists have told us, ‘This is what I have been waiting for,'” Berk says. “In the hands of the clinician, the ease of use and cleanup are immediately palpable. The additional benefits improve patient care, which is always the ultimate goal.”
For anyone seeking more information about bioactivity, Pulpdent has published a great deal of information on the subject and encourages those interested to visit pulpdent.com for scientific and clinical articles, university studies, discussions about bioactivity, videos, and more.
“The ACTIVA story,” Berk says, “is fascinating and reflects a new direction for dental materials that is beneficial for the dentist, the practice and the patient.”
