SDI Power Pair: Stela & SDF

Most pediatric dentists would likely agree that one of their most difficult patient procedures is the restoration of hypoplastic adult molars. Joshua J. Solomon, DDS, MS, DABPD, FAAPD, a second-generation dentist who owns Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Livermore, CA, believes stainless-steel crowns are a common treatment for these cases, largely owing to young patients who may struggle with longer procedures or moisture control. For years now, Dr. Solomon has been looking for a material that would be fast, easy to place, and esthetic—and he found it with SDI's Stela.

“Hypoplastic malformed adult molars are one of the most challenging restorations for pediatric dentists,” he explained, “and the longer I practice, the more of these teeth I see."

Stainless-steel crowns are durable and far less technique-sensitive than a standard composite, but as Dr. Solomon noted, “We're relegating the child to having a silver tooth until they’re perhaps 18, when growth is finished and an esthetic, permanent crown can be fabricated.”

By then, though, the already-compromised tooth often needs to be drilled again in preparation for the new crown—a scenario that runs counter to the goals of minimally invasive dentistry. And that's where Stela comes into the picture.

"Stela is the trifecta of restorative materials for difficult, permanent molars because it's twice as fast to place, requires fewer steps than a standard composite, and it's esthetic."

Stela to the Rescue!

An innovative, self-curing composite, Stela offers high strength, an unlimited depth of cure, chameleon esthetics, and accelerated polymerization that enables a gap-free interface.

“I just place the primer, air-thin it, and place Stela in the tooth—all in 1 increment—wait a few minutes to let it set, and then polish—that’s it!” he shared. “It’s one of the easiest and most revolutionary materials I’ve used because it’s just 2 steps.”

No More ‘Sting’ or Stain

Another vexing dilemma for Dr. Solomon centers around silver diamine fluoride (SDF) treatment and the pronounced “sting” felt by his young patients. He's found a solution with Riva Star Aqua, a 2-step patented system that desensitizes with an improved taste and smell for patients.*

“It’s water-based, so there’s no burning sensation that comes with other SDF products, which makes a big difference,” Dr. Solomon said. “It’s also a unit dose, so I have it available in every operatory, and there’s a lot less waste. Plus, it doesn’t stain!”

“I needed the best solution for 2 materials that I use often—a composite to treat large posterior restorations and a unit-dose SDF that doesn't sting. These 2 SDI products work perfectly for me.

*If placing Stela directly on top of SDF, it is recommended to place a layer of glass ionomer cement between the 2 materials.