3M: Restorative Adhesive and Cement for Simplicity and Predictability

DPS evaluators give top marks to 3M products from their new and improved adhesive duo to the versatile line of composites and reliable curing lights

If there are two words that best describe the Dental Product Shopper evaluations of 3M restorative products, they would be “simplification” and “success.” In fact, many evaluators have concluded 3M product evaluations by stating that they would be switching to their newly discovered material.

Just recently, Stephen Gordon, DDS, shared this sentiment after performing restorations in his Chicago practice with the new adhesive duo, 3M RelyX Universal Resin Cement and 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive. “This is the best cementation system I have used in my 42 years of dental practice,” Dr. Gordon said, touting the system's multiple uses that allow him to keep an inventory of fewer different materials.

Nicholas Nicosia, DDS, of Rochester, NY, shared a similar takeaway after discovering a simplified approach to his crown-and-bridge cases. Because 3M RelyX Universal Resin Cement and 3M Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive cover virtually all direct and indirect bonding indications, he said he would no longer need to guess which cement to use where. “Having one product system that is easy to use, has minimal steps, can be used in multiple cases, and achieves successful results is a huge benefit in my practice,” Dr. Nicosia said.

The adhesive duo—a cement with a delivery system that greatly reduces waste and a bonding agent that is the first of its kind with dentin-like radiopacity—is just the latest in a long line of DPS Best Products from 3M covering the direct and indirect restorative workflows.

Composite Restorations

Streamlining procedures is a common theme throughout the 3M restorative product lines. Sidney Chonowski, DMD, FAGD, a DPS evaluator with a practice in Morristown, NJ, can vouch for that. "I've been using their products for years," he said, lauding the 3M Scotchbond and 3M Filtek product lines as examples of his go-to materials. "I like the way they handle, their ease of placement. I don't have an issue with compressing them into the restoration or with pull-back. I like the way they finish and polish, and the color matches are good."The perfect example of simplification may be 3M Filtek Universal Restorative, indicated for restorative Classes I to V and designed to make single-shade restorations easier in both the posterior and anterior. The universal restorative is able to cover all 19 VITA classical and bleach shades with just 8 designer shades and an improved extra-white shade.

Another versatile product in this family is 3M Filtek Supreme Ultra Universal Restorative. During its DPS Best Product review, evaluators noted exceptional esthetics and handling, and, of course, the ease of use. One dentist, who concluded it was the best composite on the market, said, “It exceeded my expectations by a mile. The only way it could have been easier is if someone else had been doing the work for me."

Not one to rest on its laurels, 3M has been continuing to innovate in the restorative arena. The company recently unveiled an improved ergonomic syringe design for its most popular flowable, 3M Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative. Featuring a fingerplate and plunger that make it easier to hold and inject the material, the new design virtually eliminates bubbles and material run-on during the dispensing process.

Deep cavities can also be tackled with speed and simplicity, thanks to 3M Filtek One Bulk Fill Restorative. The bulk-fill restorative’s unique optical properties and improved opacity allow it to be placed up to 5 mm in a single step without compromising esthetics. Available in five shades, there is no need for layering or expensive dispensing devices.

A Cure-All Solution

Providing a predictable, uniform, and reliable cure, both of 3M’s lightweight, cordless LED curing lights have been deemed DPS Best Products. One evaluator of the 3M Elipar curing light described the device as “an income producer” for the practice, saying it offered “considerably faster curing time and more efficiency” than the halogen and LED lights he had used previously.

Today’s 3M Elipar DeepCure-S LED Curing Light provides even greater light uniformity and intensity distribution at clinically relevant distances. In keeping with other 3M products, both the Elipar and the Paradigm DeepCure are easy to use, with a simple two-button operation that features one cure mode for all indications.

Years ago, Dr. Chonowski took advantage of a promotion and tried the Elipar for the first time—he’s been using it ever since. “It’s been very, very good,” he shared. "It's ergonomic, fits into your hand easily, and it has good access to the whole oral cavity, even to the posterior." He added that the battery keeps its charge the entire day. While he tests the light regularly to ensure proper performance, he has found it always performs as designed.

To help dentists improve the outcomes of their restorative dentistry, 3M and Bluelight Analytics have teamed up to ensure their curing lights are functioning properly for the long term. Their newest service, CheckUp, offers the convenience of testing curing lights in the dentist’s own office at any time (See “Cure with Confidence,” at right).

A System Approach

Dr. Arkady Tsibel, who operates a multi-location practice based in Bellflower, CA, said he has purchased 3M products for many years because he does not want to give any of his approximately 20 doctors anything less than a superior material to work with. “Everybody who is in the dental industry knows about the quality of 3M products,” he stated.

The restorative products in the 3M portfolio are the result of more than a half-century of research and experience, aimed at making sure each material performs as the best in its class. Together, these solutions are designed to work as systems to help dental professionals practice more efficiently and put time back in their days.

“There’s a million other products out there, and I’ve used a lot of them, but over time I’ve settled on the 3M products,” said Dr. Chonowski. “It’s a great company, and I tend to stick to the same system if I find that it works.

For more information visit www.3m.com/dental