Product Evaluation

Few dentists would describe shade matching as easy. But a universal composite that includes “easy match” in its name is certainly intriguing and just might be worth a closer look, especially when it’s a member of the trusted 3M Filtek family of dental composites. It may even prove to be precisely what you needed, as Dr. Todd Sarubin discovered.

Solventum’s 3M Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative truly does simplify the shade matching process with an innovative yet straightforward 3-shade system that streamlines single-shade restorations. And it does it all with exceptional handling, performance, and esthetics.

Describing the material’s shade-matching ability as “outstanding,” Dr. Sarubin said, “Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative was everything I was looking for in a composite—less time and less switching out different shades, and the color and bond were super.” In the future, Dr. Sarubin will be using and recommending this “great product for multiple teeth from anterior to posterior, with good wear resistance and little to no sensitivity.”

Shade Matching

Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative’s Natural shade provides a reliable match for most patients, and complementary Bright and Warm shades offer additional options when needed. This approach simplifies shade matching while ensuring an intuitive application, without the need for a separate blocker.

“It’s always discouraging to place a visible composite and have it not blend into the tooth’s color,” said Dr. Francis Jacobyansky. “Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative was an improvement as it tended to pick up underlying tooth color. It truly simplified my shade matching.” Explaining that “you can’t always match 100% with the monoshade composites,” Dr. Alan Pressman shared, “Using 3 shades to blend in Natural, Bright, and Warm makes the esthetic blend much easier. Shade matching is much improved, and I need to keep only 3 shades in my drawer!”

After using a composite with numerous shades, Dr. Irene Renieris discovered, “Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative literally narrowed it down to 3 shades.” The composite “simplifies shade matching and reduces chair time and the need for Class IV redos” for Dr. Mariam Vaziri, who explained, “It matches nicely, blends into surrounding tooth structure, and eliminates the need for an opaquer, even in Class IV preps.” Dr. Krista Kappus was pleased that Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative offered “more options for shading between bright, bleach shades, natural, and more gray coloration.” Dr. Steven Edidin liked that he needs “less inventory than with traditional multishade products,” and Dr. Tom Novak said he still prefers a single shade rather than 3.

Handling Properties

Featuring the same proprietary TRUE nanofiller nanotechnology as other 3M Filtek restorative materials, Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative is indicated for direct anterior and posterior restorations and for core buildups. Dr. Novak appreciated the compule design and said the small tip is easy to position.

Calling it “simple to use and easy to handle,” Dr. Sarubin felt the material “cured well.” Dr. Vaziri was impressed with the “nice handing and optics,” and Dr. Kappus said, “Adaptation was better than with several other composites.” Noting that “it works well, especially with posterior and larger restorations,” Dr. Bertram Hughes said, “I like how Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative handles” and compared it to the handling of the 3M Filtek Z250 Universal Restorative.

Final Outcomes

Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative delivers excellent polish retention, shade match, wear resistance, and strength, according to Solventum.

Already a user of 3M Filtek composites, Dr. Renieris is excited to “continue to use a trusted and loved composite, but now with simplified shade options.” With Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative, she said, “It’s hard to tell the difference between tooth and filling.”

When treating a patient with facial lesions on teeth Nos. 6, 7, and 8, Dr. Jacobyansky was able to use just 1 shade, which was impressive since he normally would need 2 shades on No. 6 since it’s slightly darker. “They looked very good, and the same composite blended in beautifully despite the teeth being different shades,” he said. “This composite was especially helpful in Class V lesions where traditional composites look too flat,” he added.

Dr. Kappus enjoyed having more translucency for easier blending and found the composite very useful for Class II and III restorations and for buccal lesions. “It adapted and blended well with a nice polish and shine,” she said. Praising the material’s “great color match, good adhesion, easy polishing, great shine, and good opacity over stained dentin,” Dr. Sarubin successfully built up and restored teeth to their normal form and function in a patient with Class IV fractures on teeth Nos. 8 and 9.

Overall Satisfaction

Dr. Kathy Mortazavi summed up her satisfaction with Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative by saying, “Less time means happier patients.” Dr. Renieris declared, “I can’t count the number of times my assistant and I said we love this product after completing a composite. I feel even more confident that my dentistry is top notch.”