SmartCem2 combines strength and convenience into one cement.
Dentsply Caulk recently introduced SmartCem2, a self-adhesive cement that does not require any etching or priming. The manufacturer describes the cement as being a perfect combination of strength and convenience.
Seven dentists participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation of SmartCem2. They were asked to rate the product on such things as ease of use, technique, and ease of clean up.
Ease of Use
According to Dentsply Caulk, SmartCem2 is easy to use. Because it is dispensed directly, requiring no mixing, capsule activation, or tituration, SmartCem2 reduces the time and effort typically required with other cements.
When the evaluators were asked about the importance of ease of use when purchasing a cement, 4 rated it as very important and 7 rated it as important. The evaluators were then asked to rate SmartCem2 on ease of use. Four evaluators rated the cement’s ease of use as excellent, 2 rated it as very good, and 1 rated it as good. One evaluator said that he thought the cement was “less viscous than it should be.” Another evaluator said that he found it “a little too runny.” A third evaluator described SmartCem2 as a “very nice product,” and a fourth evaluator said, “I like the delivery [method].”
Technique
Dentsply Caulk describes the SmartCem2 technique as simple. It is self-adhering, so no etching or priming is needed. In addition, the cement can be directly dispensed, saving time. The manufacturer’s instructions indicate that SmartCem2 should be gently applied to the entire internal surface of the restoration, which is then immediately seated in the mouth. Gently rock the restoration to ensure optimal seating. When the evaluators were asked to rate the SmartCem2 technique, 2 rated it as excellent, 3 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good. One evaluator described the technique as “pretty simple and straightforward.”
Ease of Cleanup
Dentsply Caulk has designed SmartCem2 to include a gel stage for easier cleanup. This gel stage starts 1 to 2 minutes after application and lasts for about 1 minute. To hasten the gel stage, apply a curing light around the margins for less than 10 seconds. When initiated with the curing light, the gel phase lasts about 45 seconds. When the evaluators were asked to rate the ease of cleanup with SmartCem2, 1 rated it as excellent, 4 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good. One evaluator said of SmartCem2, “Extremely easy to clean, no mess.” The evaluators were also asked to rate the length of the gel phase. Two evaluators rated it as excellent, 3 rated it as very good, 1 rated it as good, and 1 rated it as fair.
Working and Setting Times
According to the manufacturer, the working time for SmartCem2 is 2 minutes. The final set is 6 minutes after start of mix for self-cure and dual-cure and immediately after final light curing for light-cure procedures. When asked about the importance of working time when purchasing a cement, 2 evaluators rated it as very important, 3 rated it as important, and 2 indicated that they are neutral. The importance of setting time was rated as very important by 4 of the evaluators, important by 2, and neutral by 1. When the evaluators rated the working time of SmartCem2, 2 rated it as excellent, 2 rated it as very good, and 3 rated it as good. With regard to setting time, 3 evaluators rated SmartCem2 as excellent, 2 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good. One evaluator said, “Personally, I would like something faster.”
Tack Cure Ability
According to the instructions supplied by the manufacturer, after a restoration is placed using SmartCem2, it is stabilized by light curing the margins for 20 seconds to 40 seconds. For restorations that are not light transmissible, final set is achieved by allowing SmartCem2 to self-cure approximately 6 minutes from start of mix. When the evaluators were asked to rate SmartCem2 on its tack cure ability, 3 rated it as excellent, 1 rated it as very good, and 3 rated it as good. One evaluator said, “I appreciated the dual-cure properties.”
Overall Satisfaction
When asked if they would purchase SmartCem2 in the future, 5 evaluators said definitely or probably. Four evaluators said they would definitely or probably recommend SmartCem2 to their colleagues. At the end of the evaluation, the evaluators were asked to give their overall satisfaction rating for SmartCem2. One evaluator rated it as excellent, 4 rated it as very good, 1 rated it as good, and 1 rated it as fair. One evaluator said, “I liked the cement and appreciated the dual-cure, shading, and self-etch properties.” Another evaluator said, “Wonderful cement.”
Easy Handling with Great Strength
SmartCem2 is a self-adhesive cement with the perfect combination of handling and strength.
Dentsply Caulk is proud to introduce SmartCem2, the latest advancement in self-adhesive cements providing everything from strength to convenience.
New SmartCem2 combines esthetics with excellent bond and retentive strength. It is a resin cement with low film thickness making it an ideal luting cement with high strength. With one of the highest bond strengths on the market, this self-adhesive also eliminates the need for a separate bonding step, saving time.
Additional benefits of SmartCem2 include excellent radiopacity, low solubility, minimal dimensional change, very low linear expansion, and a proprietary initiating system affording SmartCem2 increased stability and related improvements. It also contains fluoride.
SmartCem2 is an easy-to-use, self-adhering cement with a gel phase clean up. Its consistent work and set times further enhance the convenience of SmartCem 2 self-adhesive cement. SmartCem2 provides ample working time for up to 2 minutes, sets quickly in only 2 minutes, and light cures in 20 to 40 seconds.
SmartCem2 comes in 5 shades: translucent, light, medium, dark, and opaque. Both automix syringe or unit dose delivery are available, and it does not require refrigeration. —Josephine Kozlowski
