3M: At the Center of Dental Innovation
From its literally gritty beginnings, 3M has been determined to bring its customers what they need—even if it has to invent it first
Did you know 3M started with a mistake? The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, started in 1902, was originally created to mine corundum for use in making sandpaper and grinding materials. But when the mine turned out to contain a different mineral instead, the company had to adapt to succeed. Using minerals from another source, it did eventually launch a sandpaper product, which led to the invention of masking tape and the beginnings of broader horizons.
Almost 120 years later, 3M’s success spans multiple industries, including healthcare and dentistry. 3M Oral Care, which was established in 1964, now encompasses 3M Oral Care, 3M Orthodontics, and education resources for both oral care professionals and patients. 3M Oral Care has earned many accolades over the years. For example, it’s been named the most innovative company in the dental industry worldwide for 10 consecutive years. The company has also received an Edison Award—an honor given for demonstrating excellence in new product or service innovation that creates a positive impact in the world.
And, of course, several of its products have been evaluated by Dental Product Shopper, receiving praise from independent teams of dentists, assistants, and hygienists.
Dedicated to Patients and Practitioners
3M Oral Care is dedicated to developing products and supplies that help improve patients’ oral health and increase their satisfaction with the experience and results of dental care. At the same time, the company understands and prioritizes dental professionals’ needs and concerns for all aspects of dentistry, from safety to inventory to simplicity. With 100 years of experience in innovation behind it, 3M Oral Care is constantly seeking solutions to new— and old—issues in the ever-changing oral care environment.
Global and Sustainable
As part of that mission, 3M Oral Care has partnered with organizations including the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, and the ADA to increase access to dental care and to support cutting-edge research. And 3M as a whole is committed to finding new ways to do more, globally and sustainably.
Today, 3M Oral Care offers a complete range of supplies and materials necessary to perform efficient, esthetic restorative procedures as well as preventive care products and accessories for implants and CAD/CAM dentistry.
3M Chairside Zirconia
For single-visit restoration of posterior crowns, look no further than 3M Chairside Zirconia. Building on 3M’s 20-year history of zirconia crown technology, 3M Chairside Zirconia has the flexural strength (1,000 MPa) and durability needed for single-unit crowns as well as 3-unit bridges, and its minimum wall thickness of 0.8 mm means that preparations can preserve more tooth structure.
Compatible with CEREC milling and sintering equipment, 3M Chairside Zirconia blocks are available in 8 shades to match the VITA Classical Shade Guide for the best esthetic results. Thin-walled crowns can be sintered in approximately 20 minutes, and use of 3M RelyX Luting Plus Resin Modified Glass Ionomer Cement or 3M RelyX Universal Resin Cement makes cementation simple.
3M Elipar DeepCure-S LED Curing Light
Composite resins are popular restorative materials for many reasons, including esthetics, flowability, and smaller preparations. However, they do require careful technique, including complete, uniform curing throughout their depth, to ensure wear resistance, color stability, and strength. The 3M Elipar DeepCure-S LED Curing Light was designed with optimized optics to give dentists confidence in predictable, reliable composite curing from the top to the bottom of the proximal box and from one margin to the other. Its updated light guide geometry helps access all tooth surfaces and distribute light uniformly at clinically relevant distances, while the 1-piece stainless-steel housing makes disinfection quick and simple. 3M also offers the Elipar S10, which Marcos Varga, DDS, described as “powerful and durable, intuitive and easy to use.”
3M Filtek
As a go-to name for lasting, esthetic restorations for more than 50 years, it should come as no surprise that 3M Filtek Dental Restoratives have played a role in more than 1 billion restorations to date. With 5 current options, Filtek has your restoration needs covered, from bulk fill to flowable and from simplicity to esthetics.
3M Filtek One Bulk Fill Restorative 
When you want a bulk fill composite that’s esthetic as well as efficient, 3M Filtek One Bulk Fill Restorative is the answer. With a 1-step placement technique, a cure depth of up to 5 mm, and 5 available shades, this restorative is indicated for restoration Classes I through V. Like all the products in the Filtek line, it uses 3M TRUE nanotechnology, granting it extended wear resistance and polish retention.
If, on the other hand, you need a bulk fill or liner option with the control and precision of a flowable, 3M Filtek Bulk Fill Flowable Restorative is ideal. The ergonomic syringe has a triangular finger plate and plunger for easy injection into deep preparations, and the tip design prevents bubbles and run-on. Appropriate for both anterior and posterior restorations, this flowable offers great versatility and lasting results.
3M Filtek Supreme 
Like 3M Filtek Bulk Fill Flowable, 3M Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative comes in a syringe with an improved ergonomic design for hassle-free handling and placement. Available in 12 shades, and with the strength and polish retention imparted by TRUE nanotechnology, it lends itself to restorations in the esthetic zone as well as base/liner applications up to 2-mm thick. For the widest range of esthetic options, there’s 3M Filtek Supreme Ultra Universal Restorative. Four opacities and 36 shades make this restorative perfect for any application, anterior or posterior, and with a tested wear rate similar to that of natural enamel, it will make your work last.
3M Filtek Universal
If, like most dentists, you use a single shade for most restorations, then 3M Filtek Universal Restorative is for you. With just 9 shades and NaturalMatch technology, it covers all the classical and bleach shades for maximum effi ciency. It is also radiopaque, taking the guesswork out of future radiographs.
3M Impregum and 3M Imprint
Every case is different, and every impression is, too. From single-unit crowns and implants to orthodontic impressions, 3M Impregum Super Quick Polyether Impression Material and 3M Imprint 4 VPS Impression Material have you covered.
When you want all the working time you can get, but your patient wants the shortest setting time possible, Imprint 4 VPS Impression Material has the range you need. Just choose the product with the desired set type, viscosity, and working time, and its active self-warming chemistry will wait that long to kick in and begin the setting process.
By heating quickly to body temperature, Imprint 4 accelerates the intraoral setting time to be the shortest among leading manufacturers. And its super-hydrophilic formulation means that it captures the fi nest details for the most accurate impressions in both 1- and 2-step techniques.
Christopher D. Ramsey, DMD, described Imprint 4 as “an investment in your practice. Penny-pinching will save you just pennies. The long-term value of less chair time, fewer retakes and happier patients far outweighs saving a few bucks up front.”
For maximum efficiency in smaller cases, consider Impregum Super Quick Polyether Impression Material. Its choice of light-, medium-, and heavy-body viscosities, 45-second working time, and 2-minute setting time make it ideal for inlays, onlays, and single-unit or small bridge impressions. Its excellent hydrophilicity gives it a high level of precision and flow, and its minty taste and scent improve patient comfort during setting.
3M Impregum impressions are also scannable with current CAD/CAM technologies to integrate with your digital workflow.
Both Impregum Super Quick Polyether Impression Material and Imprint 4 VPS can be delivered using 3M Intra-Oral Syringes. These
ergonomically designed singleuse syringes help prevent crosscontamination and reduce material waste.
A Dental Product Shopper evaluator described the syringes as the “easiest product to load” and said that his “assistants love the product.” Another evaluator noted that they experienced “minimal waste, definitely less than traditional mixing and intraoral tips combined.” That same evaluator said he would definitely recommend 3M IntraOral Syringes to his professional colleagues.
3M RelyX Unicem 2
For 15 years, 3M RelyX Unicem cements have been providing an enduring go-to solution for permanent placement of crowns, bridges, inlays/onlays, and endodontic posts. 3M RelyX Unicem 2 Self-Adhesive Resin Cement, with its enhanced bond strength and esthetics and almost complete lack of postoperative sensitivity, continues this legacy.
With easy dispensing and cleanup and simple 1-step application with no etching or bonding necessary, RelyX Unicem 2 is ideal for use with a variety of materials, including glass ceramic, metal, and composites. Its high stain and wear resistance, along with well-sealed margins, ensures that patients will be satisfied for years to come.
3M RelyX Luting Plus
Consistency is the cornerstone of 3M RelyX Luting Plus Resin Modified Glass Ionomer Cement, from its convenient automix
dispenser to its precise delivery to the satisfaction of dentists and patients. Its track record of excellent bond strength and sustained fluoride release make this luting cement an ideal choice for zirconia, metal, and PFM crowns and bridges, as well as pediatric crowns.
And with its tack light-cure option, removal of excess cement takes just seconds. In the words of one DPS evaluator, “It’s a great product. My chairside assistants love the ease of use, and I love the predictability.”
3M Scotchbond
Likewise, 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive can be used to provide gold standard adhesion for all restorative materials in direct and indirect bonding indications without the need for a separate primer or activator. Its ability to desensitize and seal caries-affected dentin makes it ideal for use in minimally invasive dentistry, and it is the first radiopaque universal adhesive, helping prevent misdiagnosis on dental radiographs. In combination with 3M RelyX Universal Resin Cement, it further enhances bond strength and requires no light cure, being cured by the cement itself. Its easy-to-use, 1-bottle system lends itself to efficiency and confidence.
3M RelyX Universal and 3M Scotchbond—A Bonded Pair
Sometimes, 2 things that are each great on their own are even better together. So it is with 3M RelyX Universal Resin Cement and 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive, a fully aligned system that simplifies direct and indirect restorative workflows, streamlines inventory, and saves practices money. On its own, 3M RelyX Universal Resin Cement is a self-adhesive cement with outstanding bond strength to dentin in both self-cure and lightcure settings. Its universal name reflects its range of uses, from veneers to endodontic posts and virtually all restorative materials, making it a simple choice for reducing the number of products to keep in stock. In addition, its ergonomic dispenser design minimizes both plastic and cement waste, featuring a micro mixing tip and self-sealing for hygienic storage between applications. Cleanup after tack curing is minimal and easy, and patients are left with highly esthetic results and virtually no postoperative sensitivity.
3M Sof-Lex
You’ve completed your restoration, and now it’s time to make it shine. Rather than work through a series of points, cups, and discs
to reach all the surfaces, 3M Sof-Lex Diamond Finishing & Polishing Wheels can help save you time and effort by adapting to the tooth’s contours for you.
The abrasive-impregnated “fingers” of these wheels have no trouble reaching concave areas while adjusting to convex ones and can be used at any angle. Their rubbery material also resists overheating and is gentle on soft tissue, making them ideal for facial surfaces and interproximal areas.
The simple two-step system consists of fine and superfine polishing wheels to achieve a high gloss on a wide range of materials, including composites, RMGIs, and metals.
Dental Product Shopper evaluators had this to say about Sof-Lex Diamond Finishing & Polishing Wheels: • “ Simple and effective. Best I ever used.”—Steven Schwartz, DMD • “ Excellent for interproximal polishing.”—Steven LeBeau, DDS
Continuum of Preventive Care
3M offers a variety of in-office and take-home products that are critical to preventing caries and periodontal disease, including the 3M Clinpro line of products (prophy paste, prophy angles, sealant, and toothpastes) and 3M Vanish fluoride treatment options.
3M Clinpro
3M Clinpro 5000. The prescription-strength 3M Clinpro 5000 1.1% Sodium Fluoride Anti-Cavity Toothpaste is the solution not only for patients at high risk for caries, but also for any patient who could benefit from enhanced caries prevention strategies.
Containing 5000-ppm fluoride ions, it has 4 times the fluoride of most over-the-counter toothpastes, as well as functionalized tricalcium phosphate, enabling it to strengthen enamel and remineralize white spots by delivering the most fluoride to the tooth among brands tested.
When asked why they prescribed 3M Clinpro for their patients, dental professionals said…
• “ I see […] this decrease in caries rate in patients who are really struggling with a dry mouth and high caries rate.”—Dr. Marc Geissberger
• “ I was in orthodontic treatment, and I found it really helpful to have a solution […] that I knew had at least 10 years of research behind it.”—Irene Iancu
• “ If we can give [patients] something to prevent the breakdown of teeth so we don’t have to do that filling, that’s ultimately in the patient’s best interest.” —Dr. Nick Marongiu
3M Clinpro Prophy Paste.
3M Clinpro Prophy Paste with Fluoride is formulated with coarse perlite particles that break down during prophylaxis treatments, which reduces dentin and enamel abrasion.
The refreshing mint-flavored prophy paste is available in unitdose cups for easy application and reduced cross-contamination.
3M Clinpro Prophy Angles. These disposable prophy angles were designed with input from dental hygienists to ensure they meet the needs of dental professionals who must use them in their practices every day.
Constructed for durability and made of synthetic material that does not intentionally contain latex, the angles come with two cup options— soft and firm—to help clinicians meet specific patient and procedure needs.
3M Clinpro Sealant. This sealant is indicated for sealing enamel pits and fissures to facilitate caries prevention. In addition, 3M Clinpro Sealant is formulated with a smart color-change technology (it goes on pink and cures to a natural white) to aid placement.
The sealant’s low viscosity ensures that it flows easily into pits and fissures. In addition, it contains and releases fluoride for
extended protection.
3M Vanish Fluoride Varnishes
3M’s line of Vanish fluoride varnishes—3M Vanish 5% and 3M Vanish XT—have a long history of helping clinicians provide preventive treatment that protects patients’ teeth, eliminates hypersensitivity, and provides remineralization benefits.
3M Vanish 5%. With more than 10 years of clinical success to its credit, it’s no wonder that 
Vanish 5% sodium fluoride varnish is the best-selling fluoride varnish in the United States.
By continually releasing fluoride, calcium, and phosphate for up to 24 hours, Vanish provides acid-resistant relief of hypersensitivity. In addition, its long-lasting formulation contains tricalcium phosphate, which provides bioavailable calcium and phosphate ions and works synergistically with fluoride to achieve significant remineralization. The varnish can be applied in the presence of plaque.
The range of flavors available with Vanish 5% and its nearly invisible coating maximize patient comfort. At the same time, the
product’s uniquely convenient back-of-glove applicator and horizontal sweep application, with no need for drying time, help to streamline procedure flow and also increase treatment effectiveness.
3M Vanish XT Varnish. Indicated for protecting exposed root surfaces (especially newly cleaned surfaces after scaling and root planing), 3M Vanish XT releases fluoride, calcium, and phosphate for up to 6 months of extended protection. Site-specific and light-cured, 3M Vanish XT offers a durable layer of protection that relieves hypersensitivity.
Over the life of the product, 3M Vanish XT can be recharged with fluoride when patients use fluoride-containing products.
The varnish’s moisture-tolerant properties mean it can be applied without drying or pretreating the root surface. In addition, no rubber dam is needed during placement.
