Nanotechnology and ease of use combine to create an esthetic and time-saving glass ionomer.
3M describes Ketac Nano light-curing glass ionomer restorative as the first paste/ paste, resin-modified glass ionomer developed with nanotechnology. The manufacturer created Ketac Nano by blending nanotechnology that was originally developed for Filtek Supreme Universal Restorative with fluoraluminosilicate technology. According to the manufacturer, this patented nanotechnology consisting of a combination of nanofillers and nanoclusters adds benefits not typically associated with glass ionomers, including esthetics. 3M calls this new category of glass ionomer “nano-ionomer.”
Ketac Nano—which is indicated for small Class I, Class III, and Class V restorations; minimally invasive dentistry; primary teeth; as a base under a composite; as temporary treatment; and for core build-up—is dispensed using 3M’s Quick Mix Capsule. According to the manufacturer, this delivery system eliminates steps and improves the overall mixing results.
Twelve dentists participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation of Ketac Nano. They rated and commented on such features as speed of the technique, ease of dispensing, access to the preparation, and initial esthetics.
Speed of Technique and Ease of Dispensing
According to 3M, the Quick Mix Capsule requires only 3 steps, compared to a triturated capsule, which typically requires 11 steps. The Quick Mix Capsule steps are: lift nozzle on capsule, insert into applier, and syringe slowly.
When asked to rate the speed of the Ketac Nano technique, 8 evaluators rated it as excellent and 4 rated it as very good. With regard to ease of dispensing from the capsule, 7 evaluators rated this feature as excellent, 3 rated it as very good, 1 rated it as good, and 1 rated it as fair.
“I was impressed with how easy this product was to dispense,” said an evaluator from Westfield, NJ. “With 1 click, the product was out.” Another evaluator said, “The most outstanding attribute of this product is the dispenser and the way the product is activated.” One evaluator, who gave Ketac Nano an overall satisfaction rating of excellent and said he would definitely purchase it in the future, noted that he thought the product “tends to meet with slight resistance upon extrusion, but not to the point of nonmanageability.” Three evaluators commented that they found the material to be somewhat sticky.
Access to the Preparation
Using the Quick Mix Capsule, Ketac Nano can be dispensed directly into the preparation. 3M states the correct position of the tip for mixing and dispensing is extended straight out and not bent at an angle.
The evaluators rated Ketac Nano on ease of access to the preparation. Four rated this feature as excellent, 6 rated it as very good, 1 rated it as good, and 1 rated it as fair. One evaluator commented, “The long cannula made placement easy in all areas of the mouth.” Two evaluators noted that they found that the tip can sometimes “impede vision.”
Initial Esthetics
Glass ionomers can contain a broad range of particle sizes, which can affect the final restoration’s optical properties, strength, and wear. According to 3M, Ketac Nano’s nanoparticles are more uniform in size, resulting in excellent polish and esthetics.
Four evaluators rated the initial esthetics achieved with Ketac Nano as excellent, 7 rated them as very good, and 1 rated them as good. An evaluator from Denver, CO with 31 years of experience, said, “The polish is much better than any other [glass ionomer] that I have used.” Another evaluator said, “The esthetics are great.”
Overall Satisfaction
When asked if they would purchase Ketac Nano in the future and recommend it to colleagues, all 12 evaluators said definitely or probably. Five evaluators gave Ketac Nano an overall satisfaction rating of excellent, 4 rated their overall satisfaction as very good, and 3 rated it as good. One evaluator summed it up by saying, “If you’re looking for a glass ionomer, this is the product to buy. It makes quadrant dentistry in pediatrics a breeze. I especially enjoyed the finish and polishability of the restorative and will now include it in my treatment planning. It was also great for post and core buildups.”
