SDR Flow +
With excellent self-leveling adaptability, SDR flow+ bulk-fill flowable material delivers gap-free restorations and a quicker restorative procedure
When flowable composites made their dental debut in the late 1990s, these low-viscosity materials offered easier, more precise delivery compared to packable composites. However, with this improved flowability came a small caveat, as it would take some time for flowables to match the durability expected from a modern restorative material.
Dentsply Sirona changed all that with the introduction of SDR flow+ material, a flowable bulk-fill composite designed to minimize stress buildup and ensure gap-free marginal adaptation. These features spell the reason why Nathaniel Lawson, DMD, PhD, has relied on it for a number of years.
A Tried-and-True Time Saver
No stranger to breaking down the science behind restorative materials, Dr. Lawson, who is Director of the Division of Biomaterials at the UAB School of Dentistry, appreciates SDR fl ow+ material for its excellent flow, low shrinkage stress, 4-mm depth of cure, and high radiopacity. It can be used as a base or liner for any posterior restoration and has proved especially useful when placed in the proximal boxes of Class II restorations, providing reliable adhesion and a tight, gap-free seal, he said.“ I first tried it after experimenting with a typodont tooth in a teaching exercise, placing the flowable composite into a preparation in the maxillary arch.
Amazingly, rather than slumping out of the preparation, SDR flow+ material was drawn to its walls and floor,” Dr. Lawson recalled. “This self-leveling property makes it unique among other flowables. ”Also, since the material can be placed in just one step via bulk application for the base layer, it can limit extraneous curing time and reduce the duration of procedures. “Even if the material is not placed in large increments, it still helps save chair time because of how well it adapts to preparations with minimal manipulation needed,” he added.
Versatile Restorative Indications
What’s more, SDR flow+ material can be used for Class III and V restorations, pit and fissure sealing, and core buildup procedures. Dr. Lawson added that he can always count on SDR flow+ material when performing deep margin elevation due to its high flowability and radiopacity. Delivery using a thin Compula Tip ensures controlled placement and easy access to the application site.
“I can think back to a couple instances where I applied another flowable composite for the same types of procedures, and those cases led to radiolucent restorations and voids at the margins,” Dr. Lawson said. “There is no shortage of adaptation using SDR flow+ material, and it has never required me to redo a restoration.”
Dr. Lawson has received research funding and speaking fees from Dentsply Sirona.
