Tokuyama Dental
OMNICHROMA
Last year, OMNICHROMA transformed shade matching as we know it. Here, 2 clinicians weigh in on the long-term performance of this single-shade universal composite.
You’ve probably been duped by false advertising before—and perhaps, by now, you know it when you see it. Exaggerated claims tagged onto dental products often leave dentists skeptical of their real effects. This, in turn, makes them more hesitant to purchase new products and materials, even if they have the potential to solve clinical challenges and improve workflows. To sift through the hype and find the restorative materials that do live up to their claims, it pays to do your due diligence.
When it comes to Tokuyama Dental’s OMNICHROMA, a single-shade universal composite that matches every patient with one shade, DPS has done the research for you. Last year, 15 of our evaluating clinicians shared their experiences using this resin-based restorative material in their patient cases. All of the evaluators were impressed, saying they would recommend and purchase OMNICHROMA in the future. “It handles, matches, and polishes great,” summed up Dr. Ana Adler Niehoff. “What else can we ask for?”
But there is something else clinicians should expect from their restorative material: its ability to stand the test of time and keep restorations strong.
Extending the Lifespan
“I didn’t believe it at first,” shared Dr. Michael Teitelbaum, who has been using OMNICHROMA for more than a year now. Like many of his peers, the Briarcliff Manor, NY, clinician was astounded by the material’s ability to blend with the natural color of any tooth. Now, after seeing patients for recalls and follow-ups, Dr. Teitelbaum is confident that all of his OMNICHROMA restorations will continue to remain consistently strong and esthetic.
“The research shows that OMNICHROMA not only produces beautiful results—it’s also one of the strongest composites on the market,” he said. “For me, it has held up really well.”
Finding materials that support the life of a restoration is critical to achieving long-term restorative success and helping patients and practices avoid the hassle and cost of repairs and restoration failure. OMNICHROMA’s high compressive and flexural strength helps it produce lasting results with minimal wear to the composite or opposing dentition.
The science behind OMNICHROMA lies in Smart Chromatic Technology, which is achieved by Tokuyama’s uniformly sized supra-nano spherical fillers that use structural color to blend seamlessly with any shade from A1 to D4. This unique technology also allows the material to maintain its color match over time.
A few months ago, when his wife chipped an incisor tooth, Dr. Teitelbaum attempted to restore it using 3 different composites. Each was ineffective in terms of strength and required additional restorative work. “I redid it with OMNICHROMA, and now it looks even more beautiful,” he shared, noting that his wife is able to bite down on crunchy foods without having to worry about the restoration breaking. “You can’t even tell it’s been restored. It’s like an invisible restoration.”
The Proof Is in the Polishing
For Dr. Alan Pressman, shade matching used to be a very involved, time-consuming process. Previously, he kept a kit of 38 composite shades in his Spring Valley, NY, practice. After consolidating down to 7 shades, he discovered OMNICHROMA and learned firsthand how just one material could be enough. “For most cases, it works phenomenally and matches very well,” he stated.
If needed, Dr. Pressman shapes the material using a multifluted carbide and then polishes. “It comes out great with just light pressure,” he said. “After finishing a restoration, you can’t see the difference between natural tooth color and the margin of the filling.”
Encouraging his fellow dentists to try OMNICHROMA for themselves, Dr. Teitelbaum said, “It polishes beautifully, doesn’t stain, and shines long and bright. After 30 years of having to perfectly match multiple shades, now one composite can match everything. I would have never believed it if I hadn’t given it a try.”
OMNICHROMA Restoration Stands the Test of Time with Dr. Alan Pressman
About a year ago, a patient presented for a recare visit. On examination of routine x-rays that were taken, I found an old amalgam that required replacement, as well as a fracture line revealed through transillumination. After removal of the amalgam, I found caries by the fracture line. I placed a sectional matrix, etched the tooth with 37% phosphoric acid, rinsed, and dried it. A desensitizer was applied, followed by a bonding agent that was light-cured. Next, OMNICHROMA was dispensed, packed, shaped, and then light-cured. I used a multifluted finishing bur and polishers to finish the restoration, and the occlusion was checked with articulating paper. I recently saw this patient again, and the restoration still looks great!
Michael Tietelbaum, DMD, MAGD, FACD
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicinem, Dr. Teitelbaum practices family and cosmetic dentistry in the Briarcliff Manor, NY.
Alan Pressman, DMD
A native New Yorker, Dr. Pressman earned his dental degree from Boston University's School of Graduate Dentistry and currently practices in Spring Valley, NY.
