TOKUYAMA DENTAL AMERICA
Estelite Bulk Fill Flow Evaluation
An easy-to-place bulk fill that does not require a capping layer and results in highly esthetic, strong restorations.
A panel of DPS evaluators had a wide range of reasons for wanting to try Tokuyama’s new Estelite Bulk Fill Flow. Dr. Benjamin Schwartz wanted to decrease the time it takes to complete a restoration without compromising strength or esthetics. Dr. Marc Vance was looking for an easy-toplace flowable that could be applied in deep layers, and Dr. Liljana Petrova was hoping to bulk fill a deeper cavity without the concern of shrinkage.
With Estelite Bulk Fill Flow, Tokuyama has created an easy-to-place, flowable bulk fill material that meets all these needs. It does not require a capping layer and does not need to be applied in increments, so it saves time. The material’s high shade matching, opacity, and glossiness result in great esthetics, and the high compressive strength, cavity adaptation, and low shrinkage stress ensure a reliable restoration.
Delivery and Cavity Adaptation
Dispensed in a 3g syringe or in pre-loaded tips (.2g each), Estelite Bulk Fill Flow easily adapts to the cavity, flows into hard-to-reach areas, and provides an excellent marginal seal, according to Tokuyama. “The material dispenses fast and is easy to use with good adaptation,” shared Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, who added, “The tip size is good to get into the small nooks and crannies that may exist. It flows nicely and fills without voids.” Calling it easy to use with “not too much flow,” Dr. Richard Siegel said the material stays in place, and Dr. Sean Grady said he was confident that the material adapts to all cavosurface margins.
When asked to suggest improvements, Dr. Grady suggested that the formula could be a little more viscous, while Dr. Allen Raden, who said it was a bit sticky, recommended a little less viscosity. Calling it great for pedo and small fillings and good as a base under fillings, Dr. Elizabeth Fleming said she placed Estelite Bulk Fill Flow in increments to control flow and slumping. She noted that the product makes abfraction fillings very easy. Dr. Petrova said the material adapted perfectly to the cavity without much shrinkage, and Dr. David Thurman agreed, commenting, “Excellent adaptation, especially when rebuilding deeper medial or distal walls of the upper molars.” For Dr. Grady, Estelite Bulk Fill Flow “worked wonderfully when bonding lingual retainers.”
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"Great
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"Final appearance |
of use, adaptability, and luster, and it is easy to incorporate in the practice with- out needing additional armamentarium." |
| David Thurman, DDS, Denver, CO |
Benjamin Schwartz, DDS New York, NY |
Ami Bhugat, DDS Hempstead, NY |
Simplicity of Procedure and Time Savings
Estelite Bulk Fill Flow requires no capping layer for restorations up to 4 mm, and, because of its high translucency at placement, the material cures to the bottom of a 4 mm deep restoration in 10 seconds. The simple procedure saves time without compromising esthetics or strength. When using Estelite Bulk Fill Flow, Dr. Schwartz found that it increases speed because there is no need for additional components to be used, and Dr. Vance concluded, “It’s possible to decrease chair time for a layered composite due to the increased depth of cure, as opposed to many other flowables.” By using bulk fill instead of increments, Dr. Petrova said she could finish the task faster and her patients spent less time in the chair.
Perhaps Dr. Ami Bhagat summed up the advantages of Estelite Bulk Fill Flow best by saying, “I like the ease of use, adaptability, and luster, and it is easy to incorporate in the practice without needing additional armamentarium.” For Dr. Bhagat, the time-saving technique improved her practice’s efficiency and was especially beneficial for patients who are unable to keep their mouths open for a long time.
Esthetics
Available in 5 shades (U, A1, A2, A3, and B1), this dental composite restoration material blends across a range of different tooth shades. It’s translucent before curing to help light reach the bottom of the restoration but turns more opaque when cured for a natural look. Quick and easy to polish, Estelite Bulk Fill Flow resists abrasion and wear for long-lasting posterior restorations.
Calling the material radiopaque with “good shade selection,” Dr. Petrova pointed out that it “can be used in combination with composite on top or by itself without capping.” For more esthetic cases, Dr. Schwartz said he used a different final layer to improve the appearance, yet said that overall the shade matching was acceptable. He added, “It polishes easily and makes for a quicker procedure.” A few other dentists would like to see the shade matching improved with less translucency. Rating the shade matching and final esthetics as excellent, Dr. Thurman concluded, “Esthetics are on point! The product, with appropriate matrix set up, turns out great!”
"It was so easy to use with perfect adaptation in cavity and not much shrinkage."
-Liljana Petrova, DDS
Columbus, OH
Overall Satisfaction
Overall, the dentists who tested this DPS Best Product determined that Estelite Bulk Fill Flow is a time-saving, reliable option for bulk fill restorations. Dr. Grady said he is “confident that there is now a more flowable, highly filled composite that I know will last and resist occlusal wear unlike a traditional flowable composite.” And Dr. Schwartz summed up his experience by saying, “It’s a great one-step technique for routine restorative dentistry with good adaptation, strength, and overall acceptable shade matching.”
Takeaways
•Quick procedure with no capping layer and no incremental layering necessary
•Good cavity adaptation, flows into cracks, excellent marginal seal
•5 shades with superior color matching ability
•Quickly cures to depths of 4mm
•Low shrinkage stress, high compressive strength
