For busy dental professionals, a variety of responsibilities and tasks make staying on schedule a challenge. Implementing time-saving products and procedures is crucial to meeting these daily demands, and even simple changes can make a significant difference. In an effort to help dentists increase efficiencies, 3M has introduced 3M Filtek Universal Restorative, a new universal composite that offers a modernized approach to anterior and posterior restorations with a simplified shading process and advanced composite technology to provide strong and esthetic results.
On average, dentists choose to use a single-shade restoration for roughly 80% of the cases they perform, according to manufacturer data. Knowing efficiency is key, 3M simplified the overall shade selection process by developing eight designer shades, plus an extra white (XW), that cover the 19 Vitaclassical and bleach shades (according to manufacturer data). A pink opaquer was also created to mask metal and stained dentition. In addition, the shades have one universal opacity to meet most clinical needs.
Filtek Universal Restorative utilizes NaturalMatch technology, a blend of 3M’s composite technologies for durability and esthetics. Propriety low-stress monomers reduce shrinkage stress, while use of nanofillers creates a true nanocomposite that provides high strength and excellent wear resistance.
“Dentists are pulled in many different directions every day, with countless to-dos that stack up while they serve their patients. That’s why 3M wanted to create a solution that helped them cut down on steps and removed some of that stress,” said Sebastian Arana, president and general manager, oral solutions division of 3M. “The new Filtek Universal Restorative combines a unique shading system in an innovative material that not only provides efficiency, but also a highly esthetic and long-lasting result.”
Filtek Universal Restorative also features capsules that can be warmedi and an improved tip design that allows the material to extrude like a flowable composite and then become more viscous for shaping. At 8 mm, the tip is longer than 3M's previous universal capsules, which enables good adaptation, even in hard-to-reach areas.
To learn more about the new 3M Filtek Universal Restorative, visit 3m.com/filtekuniversal.
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