APEX DENTAL MATERIALS
RE-GEN Pit & Fissure Sealant
A pit & fissure sealant that stays where its placed and adheres in a moist environment – with the added bonus of unique bioactive properties
I believe that the future of dentistry is definitely in preventive care,” shared Dr. Ana Adler Niehoff, a California dentist who says dentistry needs more products that allow dentists to preserve patients’ teeth. With its new RE-GEN suite of bioactive dental materials that prevent demineralization, inhibit secondary caries, and promote hydroxyapatite formation, Vista Apex aims to bring a new generation of bioactivity to Dr. Niehoff and the rest of the dental industry.
A group of dental professionals recently tested RE-GEN Pit & Fissure Sealant and were impressed with the sealant’s remarkable ability to adhere in a moist environment, stay in place without running or dripping, and remain bubble-free. Thanks to its bioactive properties, the sealant provides additional benefits by preventing demineralization and inhibiting secondary caries at the margin, which improves margin stability. “The fact that a sealant can promote enamel remineralization by releasing phosphate, calcium, and fluoride is amazing,” Dr. Niehoff noted.
Bioactive Properties
As Dr. Niehoff mentioned, RE-GEN Pit & Fissure Sealant releases biologically charged phosphate, calcium, and fluoride, which enhance enamel remineralization and hardness while stimulating hydroxyapatite formation. Like all products in the RE-GEN line, the sealant is osteogenic, antimicrobial, biocompatible, and BPA-free.
“I like that this product has a bioactive property that mimics hydroxyapatite crystals to help regeneration,” said Jenna Hebert, RDH, and Dr. Alan Pressman said he appreciates that the sealant will absorb fluoride, calcium, and phosphate well into the future. “It’s giving double protection - as a sealant and chemically - and protects my patients for its entire lifespan,” he added. Predicting that the sealant’s bioactive properties will be very helpful in the future, Dr. Niehoff shared, “It seems it will be a game changer for pedo and possibly for teeth that already have staining on their grooves.”
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"I liked the fact |
"I am shifting all |
"It flowed
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Judy Goldberg, RDH |
Alan Pressman, DMD Council Bluffs, IA |
Jenna Herbert, RDH Danvers, MA |
Application, Handling, Setting/Curing Time
RE-GEN Pit & Fissure Sealant is “easy to use and very helpful when doing sealants with no assistant,” noted Hebert. Hygienist Melanie Davis said it made her job easier, especially when she was able to quickly place sealants on a 7-year-old boy with ADHD and didn’t have to redo any of them. “The application and air syringe spread made the sealant procedure quick,” shared Cathy Alty, RDH, who reported some trouble getting the tip to fit tightly to the syringe. When she contacted Apex about the tip-fitting issue, Alty conveyed, “They promptly sent replacements and were very concerned about my issue. Excellent customer service from the company!”
Praising the consistency of the sealant, Julie Carr, RDH, explained, “It went on smoothly; it’s not too thick to spread evenly, and it’s not so thin that it runs onto other surfaces. This makes it less likely that I will have to repeat application.” Hebert said it flowed smoothly into grooves and did not dilute when mixed with saliva. “It handles great, stayed in place, and was consistent,” shared Dr. Pressman. Olmsted said she loved the easy flow and that no bubbles were generated. “It didn’t run toward the low side and pool. It flowed into the crevices and stayed!” she explained. Hygienist Maryann Olmsted said sealant application was much easier than her previous material, but she noticed the applicator tip sometimes clogged. “I hung in there using it because the material itself was awesome!”
When asked about the sealant’s setting/curing time, hygienist Jennifer Colburn said it seemed to cure fast. Although she had to add a few extra seconds to the curing time, Carr said her overall sealant appointment times were shorter than with other materials.
Performance in Wet Environment
According to Judy Goldberg, RDH, RE-GEN Pit & Fissure Sealant “bonded well if the area wasn’t 100% dry!” and Hebert noted, “It set very well when unable to achieve a completely dry environment.” Carr said less time was spent applying the material and working to keep the field completely dry, and Colburn said it performed well in a wet environment. Because it goes on and sets quickly, Alty said it was easier to keep the field dry. “The product worked in a wet environment,” which saved chair time, she added.
"The fact that a sealant can promote enamel remineralization by releasing phosphate, calcium and fluoride is amazing."
-Ana Adler Niehoff, DDS
Manhattan Beach, CA
Overall Satisfaction
Acknowledging the need for additional time to accurately assess retention, most of the evaluators said they would recommend RE-GEN Pit & Fissure Sealant to colleagues. “We are planning on changing our current material to this now,” said Hebert, and Carr commented, “I am very likely to recommend purchase of this sealant material for our office.” Dr. Pressman already decided that he is shifting all of his restorative materials and cements to the RE-GEN line, and Dr. Niehoff concluded, “We need more and more products like this so more teeth can be saved in the future.”
Takeaways
• Bioactive properties prevent demineralization and inhibit secondary caries at the margin
• Adheres well in a moist environment
• Stays in place without running or dripping and has a bubble-free consistency
•Release of biologically charged ions enhances enamel remineralization, increases enamel hardness, and stimulates hydroxyapatite formation
