Product Evaluation

Finding an easy-to-use composite that speeds up bulk fill procedures just might be on a restorative dentist’s wish list. Add simplified shade matching to that list, and that bulk fill material could very well be a dream come true. Just ask Dr. Salomon Maya.

“Resin restorations take a long time and are very technique-sensitive, making it a tedious process,” explained Dr. Maya. “I was sure there had to be an easier way to do them.” His wishes were granted when he tried Kerr’s one-shade, one-step bulk fill system, which includes a regular bulk fill material and a more flowable bulk fill.

“SimpliShade Bulk Fill and Bulk Fill Flow make my life easier because placement, adaptability, and polishing are far easier and superior to the previous resin I was using,” he said. “The restorations are placed in bulk without compromising quality or patient experience. They easily light cure in seconds, and I could not be happier with the handling of both resins.” Using SimpliShade Bulk Fill and Bulk Fill Flow “allows me to do triple the amount of work in the same time!” Dr. Maya added.

Viscosity and Handling Properties

Available in unidose capsules and syringes, SimpliShade Bulk Fill and Bulk Fill Flow feature Adaptive Response Technology (ART3), which reduces viscosity during placement and handling but recovers more stability when light curing. No capping layer is needed with Bulk Fill, allowing clinicians to complete restorations in 1 step, and Bulk Fill Flow is a self-leveling composite that adapts to the cavity floor. Both materials polymerize up to 5 mm in a single step (capping layer required for SimpliShade Bulk Fill Flow).

“The resin is so easy to place, and filling it in bulk is so much quicker than conventional methods,” said Dr. Maya. “Large Class II resin restorations with difficult contacts were so much more predictable to attain great results.” For Dr. Michael Alkon, “The consistency is soft and packable and did not stick to instruments,” and Dr. Pamela Brennan Clarke said, “The handling is superb” but suggested a little more density. Dr. Joshua Fowler praised the “very good box adaptation” and self-leveling properties.

“These bulk fills handle very well and allow for quick restorations,” said Dr. Jeanne Spence. Calling them “nice materials that really stand out,” Dr. Sylvia Irwin said, “SimpliShade Bulk Fill Flow is easy to work with —not runny yet very flowable and easy to polish—and the self-leveling aspect was very nice.” For Dr. Alkon, “the security of knowing that the material set into all the deep preps was excellent.”

Shade Matching and Esthetics

With just 1 shade that matches 16 VITA classical shades, clinicians can achieve excellent esthetic outcomes. “Using SimpliShade Bulk Fill and Bulk Fill Flow makes the shade selection process easier and clearly reduces stress for the assistant and dentist,” said Dr. Andrew Mogelof. Praising the easy, accurate, and predictable shade matching, Dr. Spence said, “The esthetics are great!” and Dr. Fowler “really likes the shade matching effects.”

Calling the shade match superior to other bulk fills, Dr. DeLayne Lefevre said, “I used it on posterior teeth with decalcified appearance and had great clinical matching success.” Praising the polishability of both materials, Dr. Partha Mukherji said some patients were “wowed” by the final results.

Time Savings and Reduced Inventory

With simplified shade matching and single-step placement and curing, using SimpliShade Bulk Fill and Bulk Fill Flow saves valuable chair time. “The handling and the fact that there is no need to use several shades reduce time and effort and allow the clinician to concentrate on the mechanical protocols,” said Dr. Mogelof.

Reporting successful restorations in multiple large Class V preps in the esthetic zone, Dr. Irwin determined, “The bulk fi ll aspect enables rapid restoration of the teeth, and the esthetic outcome is outstanding.” Dr. Clarke found it “easy to use a single shade composite rather than blend numerous shades of esthetics,” and Dr. Spence said, “Ease of use is great for the practice; it positively impacts time management and reduces stress.”

The single-shade option simplifies inventory for dental practices. “I was looking for a single-shade composite for all of my dental needs so that I wouldn’t need to stock 20 shades, and SimpliShade Bulk Fill worked perfectly,” shared Dr. Jason Ingber. Dr. Lefevre added, “It is great to have a universal shade for posterior teeth. I like the ability to minimize inventory and still provide superior results.”

Overall Satisfaction

Calling the materials “perfect,” Dr. Lefevre now includes them as part of her regular inventory. Dr. Maya concluded, “I can’t reiterate how easy these materials make Class II restorations. You don’t have to worry about the placement technique as much as conventional methods, and the results are predictable and beautiful.”