Early Adopters: VisCalor bulk
In a material class of its own, this thermoviscous nanohybrid bulk-fill composite material flows optimally during application and then becomes immediately sculptable
Dentists are no strangers to the constant flurry of products being touted as groundbreaking, game-changing, or the greatest dental innovation in decades. “A lot of manufacturers say that their product is something brand new, and it’s really just a reformulation of what they already offer,” noted Peter Auster, DMD, who lectures internationally on reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry. There are exceptions, of course, which is what Dr. Auster discovered after putting VOCO’s new thermoviscous bulk-fill composite material to the test. Born out of a demand for a material that could adapt to large posterior cavities, quickly harden, and be ready for sculpting in seconds, VisCalor bulk ushers in an entirely new material class.
A Flowable and Sculptable in One Material 
Designed to be heated, VisCalor bulk features patented thermoviscous technology, which allows the material to flow optimally on cavity walls and undercut regions during application, and then quickly cool back down to body temperature so it can be immediately sculpted like a packable composite. “VisCalor bulk is the fi rst product I’ve worked with that’s both adaptable and sculptable,” said Dr. Auster. “It starts as a flowable product and very soon after you place it on the tooth, it becomes sculptable, allowing you to easily sculpt tooth anatomy. This is a paradigm shift for dentists because it offers the benefit of being two products in one.” In addition to thermoviscous technology, VisCalor bulk offers low volumetric shrinkage and impressive strengths, ensuring it can withstand day-to-day stresses for an extended time. As a result of its high filler rate, the material can be applied in 4-mm incre- ments without the need for covering layers—saving chair time and reducing the risk of air bubbles.
“ There are very few products that can really change the way we practice dentistry, and I think VisCalor bulk is one of them.”
-Dr. Peter Auster, DMD
A Heated Application
VisCalor bulk can be applied in minutes using a truly unique VisCalor Dispenser that rapidly warms the composite caps and dispenses the material when heated. “The VisCalor Dispenser is a very cool gadget,” said Dr. Auster, adding that he recommends clinicians try it out a few times to see how the material dispenses. VisCalor bulk also can be heated by VOCO’s Caps Warmer and dispensed in a traditional caps dispenser. VisCalor bulk has an innovative capsule with a long and narrow tip. “If you’re working on a posterior tooth—for example, the distal of the second or third molar—it’s easy to get the narrow intraoral tip into the distal or mesial box of that tooth,” explained Dr. Auster. “This makes it a terrifi c solution for patients with a limited opening.” VisCalor bulk’s indications span from Class I and II posterior restorations and core buildups to repairing veneers and enamel defects and splinting loose teeth. “There are very few products that can change the way we practice dentistry, and I think VisCalor bulk is one of them,” concluded Dr. Auster
