CoMax Composite Dispenser

CoMax Composite Dispenser

AdDent

CoMax sports an ergonomic mechanism with an easy-to-hold trigger and handle that minimizes the dispensing force needed to express heavily filled composites.

The CoMax composite dispenser from AdDent is designed to relieve hand fatigue by making it easy to entirely express all composite compules with one hand. The unit is made from high-tech plastic and stainless steel materials and is completely autoclavable. The manufacturer also offers clinicians a worry-free opportunity to try the new product, with a 10-day free trial.

Fourteen evaluators, all of them dentists, participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation of CoMax. They tested the product in their individual practices for 4 weeks, rating and commenting on such features as ergonomics, ease of dispensing, and compatibility with all composite compules.

Comfort

The quality of construction and “high mechanical advantage mechanism” combine to make CoMax an ergonomic unit that is designed to save the clinician both time and energy over other dispensers. When asked to rate the ergonomics of CoMax, 6 evaluators called it excellent, 5 very good, 2 good, and 1 poor. This earned CoMax a 4.1 out of 5 in the area of ergonomics. An evaluator who practices in New York City commented on the dispenser’s “very intuitive design,” saying that it “makes dispensing composite very easy.”

Perhaps the only complaint that came up during the review process was the sturdier build of CoMax was a little difficult to use for reviewers with small hands. An evaluator who gave the product an overall rating of very good called it “a bit big,” and said she “would like to see it in the same shape, but smaller.”

Another reviewer said he had “much better control on how much material is expressed.” A third evaluator added, “It makes dispensing composite materials easier, since it has a metal insert. No squeezing until your hand turns white from over-exertion. However, the product is bulkier and larger than other dispensing units.”

Ease of dispensing was the next feature that the evaluators scrutinized, with 9 rating it as excellent, 3 very good, and 1 each calling it good and fair. An evaluator who gave the product an overall satisfaction rating of very good said it has a “sturdy build so you don’t have to apply too much pressure to extrude the material.” Another noted it was “very easy to pressure composite out and [the] grip is very natural and comfortable.”

Convenience

CoMax is made out of durable materials and is completely autoclavable, ensuring asepsis and long life of the unit. Evaluators rated the ease of which they were able to load and unload compules. CoMax fared well in this category, with 7 calling it excellent, 4 very good, 2 good, and 1 fair. Two evaluators singled this out as their favorite feature of the product.

An evaluator from Oklahoma said it “beats our current dispenser in that it locks in composite compules,” and another commented that his favorite thing about CoMax was “not having the composite compule fall off.” Another mentioned, “It was a well-built piece of equipment, [with] very sturdy, quality components.”

Next, the evaluators commented on the unit’s compatibility with all composite compules. Seven evaluators called the compatibility excellent, 6 called it very good, and 1 called it fair. The ease of sterilization of CoMax was the final criterion evaluated by the testers. It was rated as excellent by 6 reviewers, very good by 6, and good by 1. Three evaluators did not test the autoclavability and were unable to comment.

One evaluator reported, “It seemed CoMax is well constructed and was not affected by the rigors of autoclaving unlike my other “cheaper” resin dispensers. Also, the CoMax did not discolor at all. It basically looked and performed like it was brand new just out of the autoclave.” Another added, “The sterilization feature is the unit’s best feature. I am sure it would hold up longer than the plastic units we currently use.”

Overall Satisfaction

Evaluators’ overall satisfaction was gauged at the end of the review period, with 5 rating it excellent, 6 very good, 2 fair, and 1 poor. One reviewer said, “I had never really realized the amount of additional force required to dispense composite from other composite guns.” When asked what they would like to see improved about the product, 2 evaluators said “nothing.” Twelve of the 14 evaluators said they would definitely or probably recommend CoMax to their colleagues in the dental industry.

One evaluator concluded, “Overall, a very good product, and I would buy it if I was looking to purchase new composite dispensing units.”