Product Evaluation

Estelite Flow Quick High Flow from Tokuyama Dental America is a universal supra– nanofilled resin composite formulated to offer ideal handling along with superior esthetics and mechanical strength.

Studies have linked highly filled microhybrid composites with greater wear resistance for contactsupporting posterior restorations.¹ Estelite Flow Quick High Flow contains silica-zirconia and silicatitania filler (68% by weight, 49% by volume). The material is indicated for direct anterior and posterior restorations, cavity lining, blocking out cavity undercuts, and porcelain/composite repairs.

The 12 dentists who participated in the Dental Product Shopper evaluation of Estelite Flow Quick High Flow commented on a range of features, including handling, ease of use, delivery system, and final esthetics.

Handling

Estelite Flow Quick High Flow’s spherical filler and patented radical amplified photopolymerization initiator technology provide an extended (90-second) working time and a 10-second curing time. The material is formulated for optimal handling with very low shrinkage.

When the 12 dentists who evaluated the composite were asked about overall handling, 3 rated it as excellent, 6 rated it as very good, 2 rated it as good, and 1 rated it as fair. Internal cavity adaptation was rated as excellent by 3 evaluators, as very good by 8, and as good by 1. When asked about potential improvements, 2 evaluators cited viscosity.

Eight evaluators identified handling as the feature they liked most, noting that “the viscosity makes it easy to work with [and] stays put when applied.” A Wisconsin dentist cited low viscosity as his favorite feature “because there’s a higher probability of getting great adaptation and no voids.” An evaluator who was “impressed by the material’s adaptability” described it as “perfect for hard-to-reach areas and cavity preparation with undercuts.” Other comments included “very minimal bubbles when placed in the cavity prep…I really liked the handling since it slumped less than other brands,” and “very nice handling…cured well.”

Ease of Use

When asked about ease of use, 5 evaluators rated the product as excellent, 5 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good to fair. One dentist said he “would rather have 2 packages in a box than 1 large one,” and 2 other evaluators noted the delivery system as something they would like to see improved. An evaluator with 18 years of experience said, “This composite lasted longer due to the 3-gram quantity instead of the usual 2.”

Polishability and Final Esthetics

Composites with spherical fillers have been shown to have “the upper-hand advantage” of achieving a high gloss by polishing. ² Estelite Flow Quick High Flow affords outstanding esthetics with excellent polishability and surface gloss. The 4 available shades offer more shade variation and optimal blending and matching, and postcuring color change is minimal.

Polishability was rated as excellent by 2 evaluators, as very good by 8, and as good by 2. One dentist said the material “polished very well and easily.”

When asked about final esthetics, 3 evaluators rated it as excellent and 9 rated it as very good. Three evaluators identified final esthetics as the feature they liked most.

Overall Satisfaction

Overall satisfaction with Estelite Flow Quick High Flow was rated as excellent by 7 evaluators, as very good by 3, and as good by 2.

“I liked everything about it and the staff liked it a lot,” noted a California dentist who called it much better than similar composites. “I use a few different brands and this [product] met my expectations as a clinician and evaluator. I’ll start using it in my practice and I highly recommend it.”

References

1. Clelland NL, Pagnotto MP, Kerby RE, et al. Relative wear of flowable and highly filled composite. J Prosthet Dent. 2005;93:153-157.

2. Takanashi E, Kishikawa R, Ikeda M, et al. Influence of abrasive particle size on surface properties of flowable composites. Dent Mater J. 2008;27:780-786.