Product Evaluation

3M

Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative Evaluation

A newly designed syringe gives users improved control and comfort, with virtually no bubbles or material run-on during dispensing

Like many of her colleagues, Irene Renieris, DDS, often detected bubbles in her flowable composite or found that the formula was not quite the right viscosity. Tired of using a material that was “too runny or not runny enough,” Dr. Renieris began her search for a reliable flowable composite and found herself intrigued by 3M’s Filtek Supreme Flowable Restorative with newly designed syringes. Invited to try this product for a DPS review, Dr. Renieris and several colleagues discovered that Filtek Supreme Flowable was easy to use and eliminated many challenges previously experienced with flowable restorative materials.

New Syringe Design

Intended to enhance comfort and control, the newly designed ergonomic syringe includes a user-friendly triangle finger plate that makes it easy to hold and inject. An easy-to-bend cannula improves access to the oral cavity, and the overall syringe design virtually eliminates bubbles and material run-on during dispensing, according to 3M.

Thrilled with Filtek Supreme Flowable’s newly designed syringe tips, Dr. Renieris called them “perfect for expelling just the right amount and flow of the product,” and Dr. Agnes Knobloch described the delivery system as “very convenient, a great improvement from the older version.” Citing “the better syringe tip system” as his favorite feature, Dr. Gregg Fink said that Filtek Supreme Flowable provided “excellent quality restorations and a great dispensing design.” Andrew Chen, DMD, reported, “The specially designed syringe and tip make placing flowable in the base of my prep very easy and bubble free.”

Viscosity, Flowability, & Adaptation

“Filtek Supreme Flowable flows great into all the areas where it’s needed and stacks well,” said Ira Biderman, DDS. Previously using a material “that was too flowable or not flowable enough,” Dr. Marshall Dicker said the consistency of Filtek Supreme Flowable is perfect. Hoping the material would stay on the prepped area without flowing or dragging away, Haroun Rostami, DDS, described Filtek Supreme Flowable as “user friendly and better than other ones I tried before.” Dr. Knobloch said it remains in place and is less runny than other materials, and Andrew Achord, DMD, agreed that “it’s easy to place and stays where it’s placed before curing,” but he recommended that it be a little stiffer. Commenting that the material “stays longer before it flows,” Dr. Jerry Spyratos said he liked “the texture and amount of stiffness.”

Several dentists commented on the bubble-free consistency, including Dr. Fink, who said, “There were no bubbles that had to be retreated,” and Dr. Knobloch, who said she appreciates the great delivery system with no bubbles. “It definitely has less air bubbles than what I currently use,” noted April Detar, DMD, who added, “I liked the thickness for a flowable composite.”

“Filtek Supreme Flowable was easy to express from the syringe and adapted well to the cavity walls,” described George Reskakis, DDS, and Dr. Achord said it was “easy to use and adapt to my preparations, and it appears to be strong.” Dr. Anthony Carroccia was pleased that “there were nearly no voids” with this material.

Versatility & Final Esthetics

3M’s TRUE nanotechnology gives the composite excellent strength, gloss retention, and wear resistance. Dr. Spyratos called the material “very easy to polish,” Dr. Carroccia said it has “a natural translucency,” and Dr. Biderman said, “The shades are great to match the teeth.” Dr. Knobloch reported that her restorations looked great on recalls, and Dr. Renieris shared, “I love the lack of bubbles, and the esthetics are top notch.”

Filtek Supreme Flowable is indicated for Class I, II, III, and V (up to 2 mm) restorations in both the anterior and posterior. “I tried a bioactive flowable on a Class V in a hard-to-keep-dry area ( No. 15 buccal),” said Dr. Renieris. “The bioactive filling fell right out, so I etched, bonded, and placed this composite. The patient couldn’t even tell where the filling ended and the tooth began,” she reported. Dr. Detar used Filtek Supreme Flowable to “fill in defects in boxes and very small anterior restorations,” and Dr. Achord found it beneficial for “occlusal Class I preparations and in the box on Class II.” Dr. Biderman said, “It was easy to use in any Class II restoration, filling every area very easily.” Dr. Knobloch used it “for Class II (in the proximal box as a first layer) and in the injection molding method of composite placement,” and also said it’s great for composite repair, if needed.

"The specially designed syringe and tip make placing flowable in the base of my prep very easy and bubble free."
-Andrew Chen, DMD
Frisco, TX

Overall Satisfaction

Filtek Supreme Flowable is a “great product that made composite work easier,” shared Dr. Dicker. Calling the material easy to use, Dr. Renieris said, “We kept it in the composite warmer, and it worked wonders. I really enjoyed using this product. It’s nice to have a go-to flowable.”

Takeaways

• A new ergonomic syringe improves control, comfort, and flow
• New syringe design virtually eliminates bubbles and material run-on during dispensing
• For access to the prep area, the cannula is easy to bend by hand
• A triangle finger plate and plunger make the syringe easy to hold and inject
• 3M’s TRUE nanotechnology offers excellent strength, gloss retention, and wear resistance