Product Evaluation

PULPDENT

ACTIVA Presto

This versatile, stackable bioactive composite is easy to place and handle and produces strong, highly esthetic restorations

Dentists expect a great deal from universal composites, and, according to Dr. Richard Sousa, it’s tough to find one that initially flows during placement but then becomes stackable and stays in place without slumping. Add to that the mandatory strength and esthetics that allow the material to be placed anywhere in the mouth, and the list of composites that make the grade dwindles even further.

ACTIVA Presto is a universal stackable composite that combines the best of both worlds and, according to Pulpdent, is the first light-cure composite designed to mimic the properties of natural teeth. “ACTIVA Presto has great working characteristics, and the shades, polishability, and stackability are exceptional,” shared Dr. Sousa. For a strong, durable restoration, ACTIVA Presto is formulated with a patented rubberized resin that absorbs stress and resists wear, fracture, and chipping, even in thin areas on beveled margins. Dr. Sousa was also impressed with the material’s “addition of minerals and fluoride,” which he called “a potentially major benefit.” Since participating in this product review, Dr. Sousa has already started using the material as a primary flowable resin in many of his cases. He plans to keep an eye on how the restorations fare over the years and told DPS, “I am optimistic.”

Ease of Placement & Handling

ACTIVA Presto is formulated to hold its shape and not slump for controlled syringe placement and easy handling. In need of a material that stays in place until cured, Dr. Michael Pavelchek was pleased that ACTIVA Presto “doesn’t shift or slump once placed, thus facilitating the restoration process.” He explained that “the non-slumping nature makes placement easy and the results more predictable.” Dr. Albert Lee found the composite to be “a little thicker than my normal flowable, so it was controllable and easily workable—not too thin, not too thick.” Dr. John Sullivan was happy with the handling characteristics, which he said “worked well,” and Dr. Akshay Vij appreciated that the material “handles well with more filler, [making it] stronger yet flowable.” When asked about potential improvements, Dr. Vij said the material needs more body and should be more sculptable, while Dr. Ken Bendik thought it was slightly too thick.

Bioactive Properties

ACTIVA Presto’s hydrophilic resin facilitates diffusion of bioavailable calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions. The material contains no bisGMA, bisphenol A, or BPA derivatives. For Dr. Sullivan, the release of fluoride “provided an easy choice” for use in patients with cervical decay caused by xerostomia and in need of Class V restorations. The anti-cariogenic formulation is what Dr. Robert Korwin appreciated most, and Dr. Russell Tankersley said he would recommend it to colleagues as a material that “performs well, is bioactive, and is high quality.”

Versatility

Indicated for all caries classes and for a wide range of indications, ACTIVA Presto is a versatile restorative solution. After reading the product’s literature, Dr. Mike Micallef was “excited to see how it reacts with patients’ teeth as a base or liner material in traditional Class I and II restorations.” He said the material proved successful as a liner in deep Class II restorations and “gave me additional confidence to provide excellent dense fills. It was versatile as expected and promised.”

“It restored Class V gingival decay and abfractions well and should help with recurrent decay,” said Dr. Sheldon Seidman. Dr. Tankersley used it as a dentin cover, Dr. Korwin found it useful as a stackable for a rapid cure in a Class II, and Dr. Craig Goldin said it “worked nicely” for core buildups and for cervical decay and abfraction restorations. Dr. Lee was impressed by the “benefits of being stronger as a composite than a true flowable” while still being “usable as or instead of a flowable.” He used the material as a flowable at the gingival margins of a Class II restoration and also said it worked well for Class Vs. When working in areas with limited accessibility, Dr. Pavelchek suggested that a dual-cure option would be helpful.

“It has great working characteristics, and the shades, polishability, and stackability are exceptional.”
— Richard Sousa, DDS Roslyn Heights, NY 

Overall Satisfaction

In addition to its ease of placement and handling, bioactive properties, and versatility, several evaluators shared feedback about ACTIVA Presto’s esthetic properties. Dr. Sullivan said he “liked the polishability,” Dr. Frederick Bonds praised the “great shade stability,” and Dr. Sousa suggested adding incisal or translucent shades. The material is available in 8 shades and penetrates and integrates with the tooth structure for margin-free adaptation, according to Pulpdent. The result is a highly esthetic and natural-appearing restoration that Pulpdent calls “nature’s magic in a dental composite.”

Several evaluators said they would recommend ACTIVA Presto to colleagues, including Dr. Pavelchek, who said it “increases efficiency.” Dr. Lee “loved it” and said he “really enjoyed the product,” and Dr. Tankersley declared, “I will continue using it as my flowable composite.”

Takeaways

• A universal, stackable, lightcure composite that mimics the properties of natural teeth
• Indicated for all classes of cavities and available in 8 shades
• Formulated to stay in place and not slump
• Patented rubberized resin absorbs stress and resists wear, fracture, and chipping
• Releases and recharges fluoride, calcium, and phosphate