Maxcem Elite™ Chroma
Maxcem Elite Chroma is the first Self-Etch/ Self-Adhesive resin cement offering a Color Cleanup Indicator, dispensing pink before fading at the gel state, indicating the optimal time to cleanup excess cement
Dr. Padmaja Mutyala, a member of the Dental Product Shopper evaluation team, said it’s often difficult to know exactly when to start removing the excess cement when seating a dental restoration. It’s challenging for a clinician to determine when cement has reached its optimal gel state, which is the ideal time to clean up excess cement to prevent discomfort, complications, and delays. To help identify the precise moment the excess cement is ready to be removed, Kerr Restoratives developed a unique material, Maxcem Elite Chroma, that changes color when it reaches the gel state.
After using the Maxcem Elite Chroma for 4 weeks, Dr. Lourdes Albandoz shared, “The innovation of this product is the change of color while setting, making it easier and less messy to work with.” Wendy Nato, a Florida dental assistant, explained how using this cement saved time. “We have to get numerous products out just to seat the restoration. A lot of prep work went into the cementation. With Maxcem Elite [Chroma], it’s easy on the patient as far as cleaning up the excess cement, and it’s easy on the doctor or assistant.”
Kerr reports that Maxcem Elite Chroma is the first self-etch, self-adhesive resin cement to offer a color cleanup indicator and one-peel cleanup. We asked a team of dentists to share their views on the product as part of this DPS evaluation.
Ease of Use and Color Change
Conveniently dispensed with a dual-barrel automix delivery system, Maxcem Elite Chroma is indicated for use with all indirect restorations. Dr. Hasan Khajah liked the ease of use and color change best and said that it minimized the number of steps in the cementing process. Many evaluators called the cement easy to use and had a better chairside experience because of it. Dr. Steven Edelson was pleased to be able to cement multiple units without the need for an amalgamator, which saved time. He also said the material eliminated patient sensitivity concerns.
Maxcem Elite Chroma has a unique gel-state color indicator that displays the optimal time to remove the excess cement. The material dispenses pink, but the pink color fades when it reaches the gel state, indicating when to remove any remaining material.
Dr. Edelson shared, “Cement cleanup was guided by color change,” which ultimately resulted in a less stressful cementation experience. He suggested “a more vivid color change from a darker pink to white.” Dr. Michael Szymanski noted, “The color change indicated the optimal time to clean up” and said he is now more eager to use a resin cement. When asked what she liked best, Dr. Siti Lowery said, “the color change, so I know the exact time for cleanup.”
Handling, Esthetics and Bond Strength
“The viscosity was ideal,” noted Dr. Louis Sterling, and Dr. Sherwood Tucker said it is “really easy to use in that you just squeeze the necessary amount out with no mixing.” Nato suggested that Kerr provide universal tips, and Dr. Khajah said this “excellent cement” resulted in a great esthetic outcome with minimum time consumption.
Regarding bond strength, Dr. Albandoz called it a “good-quality cement having a long-lasting hold,” and Dr. Sherwood reported being certain that the restoration was fully seated. Maxcem Elite Chroma kept the crowns in place and allowed for shorter appointments and less guess work, Dr. Brett Druger noted. “[The] true test will be longterm effectiveness,” explained Dr. Szymanski.
Cleanup
Once it’s ready to remove, the excess cement will easily peel off with the unique one-peel cleanup. In addition to saving time, cleaning the cement around the margins at the optimal time is more comfortable for patients, ensures success of the restoration, and helps prevent post-operative complications.
“Hardened cement [is] difficult to remove,” explained Dr. Tucker. “Maxcem is great for cleanup! The excess just flicks
right off with no difficulty.” Dr. Tucker continued, “The cleanup is easily done by the assistant, and the patient was finished sooner and with less trauma to the gum tissue. I was happy knowing the excess could be removed with ease and no residue would remain.”
Ease of cleanup was the highest rated attribute, and many evaluators said it was their favorite feature, including Dr. Edelson, who reported “less gingival trauma during cement cleanup.” Nato agreed, “The patient doesn’t have to experience a lot of scaling and scraping around the margins when cleaning off a crown or bridge.” Dr. Sharde Harvey explained, “It sets easily so cleanup was quick and easy, allowing [the] patient to not have to open their mouth for a long time.”
"Maxcem is great for cleanup! The excess just flicks right off with no difficulty.”
-Sherwood Tucker, DDS
Eagle Butte, SD
Overall Satisfaction
All of the evaluators said they would recommend Maxcem Elite Chroma to colleagues, and most would definitely or probably purchase it. While Dr. Tucker said it “seems perfect in its present form” and rated his overall satisfaction as excellent, some suggestions were to improve the taste of the cement and to include more material in each package. Rating her overall satisfaction as very good, Dr. Albandoz concluded, “The dispensing and the change of color while setting made the chairside experience innovative, different, better, less messy and accurate.”
Takeaways
•Color cleanup indicator provides reassurance of a full cure
•Tack curing accelerates the color change
•Time-saver for dental assistant/ hygienist, who know exactly when to clean up
•Easy one-peel cleanup at gel state, with virtually no flaking/ clumping
