Universal composite balances esthetics and performance for lifelike restorations
With every composite introduction or reformulation, Dental Product Shopper makes it a point to reach out to dentists who are using the new material daily in their operatory. What do dentists look for in a composite, and how is this one different or preferable?
On more than one occasion, dentists have compared choosing a composite to choosing a vehicle. Dr. Jack Ringer of Anaheim Hills, CA, is one such dentist. “A lot of it can become personal taste because it’s like going to a car dealership. You know they’re all going to work, but there may be something about one or the other that just fits in with one’s lifestyle better,” he explained.
Dr. Ringer recently started using Ultradent’s Mosaic, a light-cured, bis-GMA-based universal restorative composite designed for both anterior and posterior restorations. While it’s still too early to comment on the longevity of the material, he has been pleased with Mosaic’s handling and says it “fits the bill” in key areas:
Handling: According to Ultradent, Mosaic’s handling properties provide total control during manipulation. It has a smooth, pliable consistency, ample working time under ambient light, and won’t flow or slump out of place after being shaped. “The handling is awesome. It’s optimal for placing in fillings and flows nicely for doing esthetic work,” said Dr. Ringer. “Sometimes you’ll get a composite where you pack it in, and it’s too sticky or it’s too runny. So far, I’m finding no issues with Mosaic that would make me go back to using other products.”
Mosaic comes in unique, 4-g syringes that have a smooth, contoured handle and barrel to allow for easy cleaning as well as an easy grip and identification. It is also available in convenient 0.2-g unit-dose singles.
Shade selection and blending: Mosaic’s shade guide includes 20 shade tabs. The slightly translucent dentin shades provide a chameleon effect that enables only a single shade to be used in smaller restorations, while the enamel shades give variable opacity to allow the use of a single enamel shade on smaller chips or defects of anterior teeth. Dr. Ringer said Ultradent apparently did their homework on shade selection. “I used Uveneer [Ultradent’s direct composite template system] with Mosaic, and when I polished it and placed it, it looked great.”
In line with his analogy, Dr. Ringer said that Mosaic fits the needs of his practice.
