ACTIVA—Defend and Prevent

When Pulpdent introduced ACTIVA BioACTIVE Bulk Flow last year, it quickly became a staple for Neville Hatfield, DMD, who had used ACTIVA BioACTIVE-CEMENT and ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE for more than a decade.

"I use ACTIVA BioACTIVE Bulk Flow in Class I and II restorations, filling from bottom to top," he said. "It combines a bioactive component and a flexible resin. Plus, it can perform well in a moist environment."

ACTIVA BioACTIVE Bulk Flow: Engineered for Flow & Strength

ACTIVA BioACTIVE Bulk Flow, the latest addition to the ACTIVA Patient Treatment System, delivers all the benefits of ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE—now with a self-leveling viscosity and even better adaptation.

"I use ACTIVA BioACTIVE Bulk Flow in high-risk areas, for quick occlusals, deep fillings, or back-to-back restorations," Dr. Hatfield recalled. "In addition, it doesn't have much shrinkage stress, which is awesome." Yet another benefit, he said, is great polishability.

"It's an updated take on a proven formula," said Michael Jeffery, Pulpdent's Director of Product & Strategy. "We took the core chemistry of ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE and made it lower in viscosity for clinicians who prefer a more flowable material. It also doesn't require a dispenser, making it smaller and easier to hold."

ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE: Strength Meets Moisture Tolerance

A highly esthetic, dual-cure, bioactive composite, the flagship ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE provides moisture-tolerant chemistry, elastomeric strength, and supports interfacial mineralization. The composite seals against microleakage and features an ionic resin matrix that mimics the physical and chemical properties of natural teeth.

“ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE is my go-to for posterior Class Vs,” Dr. Hatfield shared, “primarily because of the bioactive component and the way it’s dispensed out of the mixed cartridge with the bendable tip. But the biggest benefit is its moisture tolerance—I can place the material quickly in a difficult-to-work-in environment, such as an area where there’s inherent moisture, and still get a great result.

"Whether I'm dealing with decay along the cervical margin or an abfraction, the material's resin matrix is more flexible than other resins," he added. "With stiffer materials, the filling can pop out. With ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE, I just place it and shape it up."

ACTIVA KIDS BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE: Promotes Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Like all ACTIVA products, ACTIVA KIDS BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE contains no bis-GMA, bisphenol A, or BPA derivatives. It easily injects into hard-to-reach areas and strip crowns, with an opaque white shade that masks stains.

"With kids who are already cavity-prone, ACTIVA KIDS BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE helps prevent recurrent decay so they can keep their primary teeth longer—holding space until those teeth naturally exfoliate and the adult teeth erupt," Dr. Hatfield shared. "I also use ACTIVA KIDS BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE for Class I and II restorations, as well as everything in the posterior. The opaque white shade allows me to easily differentiate between the natural tooth and the material, which means I can make sure I have a good seal around the tooth," he added.

This conservative approach is also a core component of Pulpdent's product focus.

"The standard of care has advanced to include more minimally invasive procedures and techniques such as selective caries removal," said Jeffery. "At Pulpdent, we are seeing a new age of trying to keep as much natural dentition as possible. Interfacial mineralization support is a key benefit of the ACTIVA family; it allows clinicians to remove less healthy tooth structure while sealing and defending the margins."

In addition to his younger patients, Dr. Hatfield reaches for ACTIVA KIDS BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE when treating his adult population.

"I use it for all my core buildups," he shared. "The color allows me to see exactly where the material lands and the tooth begins, so I can make sure I'm on solid tooth structure when I'm prepping a crown. I can dispense it with a very thin tip into the root canal system and I don't have to worry about the depth of cure because it's a dual-cure composite."

ACTIVA BioACTIVE-CEMENT: Discourages Acid Erosion

Formulated with bioactive properties that stimulate mineral apatite formation, ACTIVA BioACTIVE-CEMENT is a dual-cure system compatible with nearly all restorative materials. A key material on Dr. Hatfield’s tray, the cement seals margins against microleakage, therefore reducing sensitivity.

"This is a resin-based cement, so I can use it to bond crowns where I want extra retention," Dr. Hatfield said.

ACTIVA BioACTIVE-CEMENT releases calcium, phosphate, and fluoride to discourage acid erosion, is more resistant to chipping and fracture than other cements, and has a low solubility to prevent washout over time.

“We know that fluoride helps strengthen teeth and prevent recurrent decay, and the great thing about ACTIVA BioACTIVE-CEMENT is that it will release and recharge fluoride from the mouth as well,” Dr. Hatfield said. “So, patients can have this bioactive component in perpetuity, which is unique with the ACTIVA line of products over standard composites or cements.”

Bioactivity for Sustained Health

"ACTIVA materials focus on better outcomes and defending patients' health through unique secondary caries protection that traditional composites can't match—particularly biofilm modulation and mineralization support," Jeffery noted. "After more than 12 years of clinical use, we now have clear evidence of that mineralization support: clinicians can see increased hardening of dentin as well as bond strength, and our marginal integrity remains higher than competitive materials. That's what sets ACTIVA apart."

As a medium-sized company, Jeffery added, Pulpdent is uniquely positioned to innovate. The manufacturer offers many "legacy" products, but doesn't feel pressure to be everything to everyone.

"Over the last 2 decades we've leaned more into research, development, and engineering, and I believe this is just the beginning for ACTIVA. It's the most well-studied, well-proven bioactive material on the market."

Treat Now, Protect Tomorrow

For Dr. Hatfield, the payoff of using a bioactive material comes from playing the long game. He views his dentistry as running a marathon—not a sprint.

"ACTIVA materials give patients an extra edge for long-term successful restorations," he said. "Even though my stress level is already high from working in dentistry, I think it would be 3 times higher if I didn't have ACTIVA. I've seen very successful results."