Product Evaluation

PATTERSON

LC MONOSHADE

With continuous color matching properties, LC Monoshade provides a simple one-shadefits-all solution for posterior and anterior restorations

One-shade-matches-all dental composites have taken the restorative dental industry by storm in recent years because of their ability to simplify the shade selection process, reduce inventory, and speed up the restorative process. Patterson Dental debuts its own Patterson Brand light-cured composite, LC Monoshade, with continuous color matching properties that match all natural tooth shades in both posterior and anterior restorations.

Searching for “a composite with excellent handling and shading characteristics,” Dr. Shalom Mehler discovered that “LC Monoshade fulfills both criteria” and has “no negative characteristics.” He said, “It handles extremely well and blends seamlessly within the preparation. I am extremely happy with this composite. It provides the best of all worlds; it’s easy to manipulate, condenses nicely without major pull-back, and the end result is a seamless restoration.”

Handling & Radiopacity

Dispensed via individual .25g capsules or in 4g syringes, LC Monoshade is designed to be flowable yet sculptable and features a radiopacity of approximately 200%. LC Monoshade “is much smoother and easier to sculpt without the clumping I get with [a competing product],” shared Dr. Christopher Greenwaldt. “I like how it is easy to manipulate, and there is plenty of time to sculp the material, even with a headlight in use.” Dr. David Fang stated, “The material handled great with no tackiness; therefore, there was no pulling and no slumping.” Calling it “surprisingly easy to handle,” Dr. William Campbell said LC Monoshade “made shade matching simple and simplified my posterior resin procedures.” Noting that it “handles like a packable composite with just the right amount of stickiness,” Dr. Bilyana Tesic said LC Monoshade is “distinctly radiopaque and easily visualized on radiographs,” while Dr. Rupesh Singla would like the radiopacity improved.

Shade Matching & Time Savings

LC Monoshade is a light-cured composite in a single shade that matches all natural tooth shades in posterior and anterior restorations. With continuous color matching properties, the composite simplifies shade selection, saving time during the restorative process while reducing inventory. To help mask discolored teeth, dentists can use Patterson’s LC Opaquer in combination with LC Monoshade.

“Always looking to streamline procedural protocols,” Dr. Tesic discovered that LC Monoshade’s “universal composite shade makes shade matching easy” and added, “Chameleon color matching has come a long way.” Dr. Akshay Vij decided, “The shade matched most clinical situations, even without an opaquer,” and Dr. Cary Goldstein said it “is easy to use and blends in very well with most shades of teeth.” Calling it the “best monochromatic composite I have used,” Dr. David Fang said he is “able to use it with full confidence for color matching,” and Dr. Singla praised its “great shade match and adaptation.” When comparing side by side with [a competing] composite, Dr. Greenwaldt determined, “The LC Monoshade had a better chameleon effect, hands down.”

Stating that LC Monoshade “made shade selection simpler” and “worked really well to blend the tooth shade,” Dr. Sandip Ladani said, “It was a big plus [that the] opaquer masks the shade for discolored teeth,” although he would like to see a better match with anterior teeth. Calling the opaquer “very helpful at masking discoloration,” Dr. Sarwandeep Bath explained, “The opaquer is dense, so the dark hue does not shine through the composite. There are not many products [like this] in the market.”

“This is a solid everyday composite that simplifies shade matching for 90% of cases.”
—Bilyana Tesic, DDS, Monterey, CA

Quality of Final Restoration

Curious if LC Monoshade “is truly universal for anterior and posterior,” Dr. Thomas Morgan determined, “It’s nice to see a composite that is multi-functional. Overall, I love the flexibility of this product and how universally applicable it is.” The evaluating clinicians shared many success stories, with Dr. Vij finding the composite helpful in Class V, Class I, and Class II restorations and Dr. Charley Cheney calling it “great for straightforward posterior composites.” When he used LC Monoshade “as a buildup on a lower anterior tooth next to a 3-unit porcelain splint,” Dr. Fang said, “The blend of teeth colors was excellent.”

LC Monoshade “polishes easily to a high shine and glossiness,” noted Dr. Tesic, and Dr. Goldstein agreed that the “ease of polishing and appearance of a shiny surface is excellent,” although he would like to see a depth of cure greater than 2mm. “The polishability could be slightly better, but overall, it had a great finish,” shared Dr. Greenwaldt. “It made shaping, contouring, and polishing simple, and it was easy to use, handled well, and finished nicely,” concluded Dr. Campbell.

Overall Satisfaction

“This is a solid everyday composite that simplifies shade matching for 90% of cases,” shared Dr. Tesic. Calling it “much easier to place than competitors and at a lower cost,” Dr. Greenwaldt said LC Monoshade is now his go-to composite, and Dr. Fang said it “creates beautiful, seamless restorations.” For Dr. Mehler, using LC Monoshade reduces his stress because he “knows in advance that the completed restoration will be excellent.” He added, “I will certainly continue to use it. It doesn’t get any better than this for a GP!”

Takeaways

• A light-cured composite with continuous color matching properties

• One shade matches all natural tooth shades in posterior and anterior restorations

• Flowable, nonsticky consistency stays where it’s placed 

• Available in 0.25g capsules and 4g syringes

• Simplified shade selection saves time and reduces inventory