Access BLUE Evaluation
Access BLUE is quick setting, exceptionally rigid, and dimensionally stable, producing highly accurate bite registrations
It sounds simple enough, but all too often taking an impression means working with material that doesn’t stay where it’s placed, is difficult to trim, ends up cracking or crumbling, or fails to produce an accurate registration. To top it off, patients are likely uncomfortable and barely tolerating disagreeable tastes and smells, making impression-taking a dreaded procedure on both sides of the chair.
Fortunately, for both patient and practitioner, Centrix offers a solution with its Access BLUE Bite Registration Material, a quick setting, dimensionally stable fast-bite VPS material that produces exceptionally accurate bite registrations. The tasteless, odorless material sets hard like laboratory plaster in only 30 seconds, and the rigidity enables cutting and trimming of the impression without breakage or crumbling.
In his search for “a firm and stable bite material with lower elasticity that stays on the teeth,” Emery Cole, DMD, FAGD, discovered that Access BLUE was the “ideal product” for taking PVS bite registrations and wax bite registrations on his fixed prosthetics cases. Describing it as “creamy and thick, firm with low elasticity,” Dr. Cole said, “It seemed to stay on the teeth for a more complete bite, and the material cuts easily and seems durable.” He added, “Access BLUE is one of the best VPS bite registration materials I’ve used.”
Dispensing, Working, & Setting Time
After dispensing with a syringe, Access BLUE has a working time of 30 seconds with an additional intraoral setting time of 1 minute. “This product has superior quality, is easy to dispense, doesn’t stick to soft tissues, and has even flow and adequate working time,” noted Dr. Kapish Goyal, who said consistency of flow was his favorite feature. Kathy Mortazavi, DDS, called it “accurate and very easy to use” but suggested “a more ergonomic dispensing carrier, such as a mini syringe.” Dr. Frank Siracusa said the hardening times were very consistent, and Dr. Kalpesh Mehta would like to see more hydrophilicity. Citing “ease of use and fast setting time” as her favorite features, Ellen Lippa, DDS, said, “I worked it right into my regular routine.”
Rigidity/Stability & Ease of Cutting/Trimming
Made in the United States, Access BLUE “is adaptable, maintains rigidity, and has good strength upon setting,” according to Dr. Goyal. Pleased that she found “a better quality bite registration material that doesn’t crack in the middle,” Dr. Joy Poskozim described Access BLUE as “sturdy, long lasting, and very hardy,” and said it “didn’t crack/break days after it was made.” In addition, she said, “It travels well (for nursing home use) and is a product I can count on to work the first time and get to the lab in one piece.” Describing Access BLUE as “very accurate and easy to use,” Dr. Charles Rubin said the material “is easily trimmed without breaking.” Impressed with its hardness, Eugene Kim, DDS, described, “After setting, it became very rigid and exhibited minimal dimensional change. It sets almost plaster-hard for durability and accuracy, and because of the rigidity, excess segment can be easily cut off or broken out.”
Accuracy & Versatility
Like the other impression materials in the Access family, Access BLUE is formulated with reaction silicones, offering excellent physical and dimensional properties. A mousse-like consistency further optimizes accuracy, resulting in registrations that allow the lab to easily replicate correct intercuspal and centric relationships, according to Centrix.
“[Access BLUE] works great! I love the detail captured,” said Eric Burton, DDS, who explained that “temporaries were fabricated more easily with minimal distortions.” Dr. Kim found the material to be “very accurate and dimensionally stable,” which he said was a pleasant surprise compared to previous unstable bite registration materials. Dr. Ashur Joseph identified accuracy as his favorite feature, and Dr. Lippa reported, “My crown and bridge cases had zero adjustments occlusally.”
Several evaluators shared examples of the material’s versatility, including Dr. Kim, who said, “It can be used for bite registration, copying transfers, and primary impression with bite trays.” Paul Chaiken, DDS, described it as “great for mounting casts on an articulator and good for making provisionals,” and Dr. Burton said it “works well and provides good detail” for recording a bite relationship or mold for a provisional. “It worked well for all mouths,” noted Dr. Poskozim, who “still got a good bite” when she used Access BLUE with a nursing home resident who was experiencing tremors.
Overall Satisfaction
Dr. Siracusa called Access BLUE “a good product that’s easy to use and always cuts down on chair time,” and Dr. Kim said both staff and patients loved Access BLUE. “It’s virtually imperceptible, free of taste, and won’t trigger proprioceptive reflexes. I’m confident that it will be quick, easy, and reliable,” Dr. Kim explained. Noting that Access BLUE “improves efficiency and my clinic performance,” Dr. Goyal declared, “I have already ordered it.”
Takeaways
• Fast setting material produces rigid, stable, and accurate bite registrations
• Very stiff and dimensionally stable
• Impression can be cut and trimmed without crumbling
• Reaction silicones maximize physical and dimensional properties
• Tasteless and odorless
