EQUIA Restorative System

EQUIA Restorative System GC America Inc. EQUIA combines easy handling and simple placement with durability and esthetics. GC America’s EQUIA self-adhesive posterior restorative includes GC Fuji IX GP EXTRA and G-COAT PLUS to create an easy-to-use system. GC America describes GC Fuji IX GP EXTRA glass ionomer as a packable and nonsticky material that can be placed in a single step with no layering required. EQUIA does not require a bonding agent and will self-adhere to moist dentin and enamel. In addition, the system provides high fluoride release at placement and over time with recharge.

We asked 11 dentists to evaluate EQUIA in their practices for 4 weeks, rating and commenting on such features as ease of use, handling, and final esthetics.

Ease of Use

According to the manufacturer, EQUIA offers dental professionals quick and easy restoration placement. For example, Class I, II, and V restorations can be completed in less than 3 minutes and 30 seconds after cavity preparation.

When asked to rate EQUIA’s ease of use, 5 evaluators rated it as excellent, 4 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good. An evaluator who gave EQUIA an overall satisfaction rating of excellent described the product as, “Easy to work with overall.” Another evaluator described EQUIA as “really nice to handle and to place.”

The evaluators were also asked to rate working and setting times. Three evaluators rated these items as excellent, 6 rated them as very good, 1 rated them as good, and 1 rated them as fair. One evaluator said he would have liked a “more clearly defined working time so that I can easily tell when it is no longer sticky and yet soft enough to pack.” He went on to suggest “a color change, like from glossy to dull.”

Handling and Packability

GC America describes EQUIA as packable and nonsticky. The evaluators were asked to rate the system on handling (packability) and also how it handles in a moist environment. With regard to packability, 4 evaluators rated EQUIA as excellent, 5 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good. When asked about how the material handles in a moist environment, 2 evaluators rated EQUIA as excellent, 5 rated it as very good, 2 rated it as good, and 2 did not rate this item.

Several evaluators noted handling as one of their favorite features of EQUIA. One evaluator said, “When the packable stage comes it is wonderful. I can pack the material into areas that with other glass ionomer products…I would find small voids as I polished.” Another evaluator said, “It seems to handle easily and adapt well to the margins of the cavity preparation.” A third evaluator listed “bulk fill capabilities and ability to place in a slightly moist environment” as his favorite product features.

Final Esthetics

GC America reports that EQUIA’s unique balance offers patients high-quality, durable esthetic posterior restorations. Two evaluators rated the final esthetics achieved with EQUIA as excellent, 6 rated them as very good, and 2 rated them a good. One evaluator said, “This product handles well and produces a cosmetic looking restoration with the benefit of fluoride release.” A third evaluator noted the “very good color characteristics.”

Overall Satisfaction

All of the participating evaluators said they would definitely or probably recommend EQUIA to their colleagues and purchase it for their own practices. When asked to give their overall satisfaction rating for this restorative system, 3 rated it as excellent and 8 rated it as very good. An evaluator who described the steps as “somewhat arduous,” went on to say, “The outcome with EQUIA is nice and in my opinion worthwhile for those seeking a polishable, self-cure, fluoride-releasing restorative material.” This same evaluator gave EQUIA an overall satisfaction rating of very good and said she would probably purchase it in the future.