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In this interview, Dr Adham Elsayed, certified specialist in dental prosthodontics and implants and clinical and scientific manager at Kuraray Noritake Dental, details the benefits of the company’s new CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal composite and explains its application in the daily dental workflow.

Though dentists are becoming increasingly specialised, there’s a growing demand for products that can be used for all indications. How does CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal fit this model?

First, we need to explain the meaning of the term ‘universal’ in this context. Previously, there have been two types of composites that differ according to the area of application: anterior composites, used in Class III, IV and V restorations where the aesthetic outcome is the priority, and posterior composites, in which the mechanical properties like strength and wear rate are more important. Universal composites, then, are those that can be used for all types of restorations in the anterior as well as the posterior region.

Another way in which ‘universal’ can be considered is in relation to shade. In this case, the term is used to describe a restorative composite system that exists in fewer shades, one that can adapt to the tooth structure independent of the colour of the tooth. A major benefit of this type of composites is that it offers a simplified workflow.

CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal is essentially universal in both meanings: it is one system that can be used for posterior and anterior restorations, and it is also provided in only three shades—one for posterior, and two for anterior.

Universal products, whether they are luting cements, bonding agents or composites, are attractive to dentists as long as they offer simplification of the treatment procedure without compromising quality and durability.

How does CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal build upon the success of the CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ range?

The CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ family is very well established at this stage. It includes such products as CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ Posterior, one of the most popular posterior composites owing to its superior mechanical properties and minimal polymerisation shrinkage. CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 is an extensive system that is highly beneficial thanks to its outstanding optical properties and ability to produce high-end aesthetics in the anterior region using Kuraray Noritake Dental’s multilayering technique. The three flowable alternatives of CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow, with different consistencies, are also other successful members of the family.

Kuraray Noritake Dental now continues the success story of CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ with the latest innovative product that can change the definition of the universal composite. CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal incorporates several attributes from the well-established ES-2 and ES Flow, including Kuraray Noritake Dental’s light diffusion technology (LDT).

Speaking of LDT—how does this technology benefit the composite?

LDT allows the material to scatter and reflect light rays at many different angles, which, in turn, allows the composite restoration to diffuse light in a similar way to the surrounding tooth structure. Hence, it eliminates aesthetic problems like the visibility of restoration and preparation borders. Thanks to innovative LDT, optimal particle fillers and opacity, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal blends seamlessly with the surrounding tooth structure and emulates natural teeth, eliminating the need for shade selection.

As you mentioned, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal comes with one shade for posterior restorations and two for anterior restorations. Can such a reduced shade range still truly deliver aesthetic restorations?

CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal is not the first composite on the market with a reduced shade system. However, we can safely say that it is the first to focus on aesthetics and not just on reducing the number of shades.

We know from experience that using one-shade composite systems in the anterior region mostly leads to unsatisfying aesthetic results, even with the use of an opaquer composite to reduce shade-matching interference. This is due to the fact that trying to provide one shade for all posterior and anterior restorations, and for all tooth shades, compromises the aesthetic to a high extent. In other words, using a highly translucent material to try to match all restorations and shades will result in the interference of other objects in the mouth, such as the tongue, gingivae and so on.

Kuraray Noritake understood this fact well and solved the problem by introducing three shades with translucencies designed to match specific indications. It is important to note the simplicity of the workflow, since only one syringe per restoration is required. This makes CLEARFIL Majesty™ ES-2 Universal a true game-changer, as it provides the perfect match between simplicity and aesthetics.

What other advantages does this new composite deliver?

Other advantages include the superior mechanical properties for which the CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ family is already known, such as favourable wear properties, low shrinkage stress and high strength. It can be polished easily and retains its gloss. Moreover, the handling of the material is a huge advantage: this includes a long working time of about 270 seconds under ambient light. It is non-sticky and can be sculpted easily.

Which dental professionals would benefit most from this product?

The perfect match between simplicity and aesthetics offers the clinician several benefits. It delivers a very straightforward time-saving procedure without compromising aesthetic results. There is no need for exact shade selection, thereby excluding visible errors of non-matching shades, and there is also a reduced amount of material stock needed. Therefore, in my opinion, this should be the product of choice for most cases in everyday practice.

Advances and developments in dental materials are rapidly accelerating, and clinicians should integrate these innovations and make their daily practice more efficient with simplified workflows, time-saving procedures, fewer material selections and, accordingly, less technique sensitivity and less need for dental practice personnel to become acquainted with an abundance of materials.

Case by Max Andrup

The maxillary right first premolar of this patient had a huge defect on the lingual aspect extending subgingivally. In order to facilitate proper working field isolation for the placement of an onlay, it was decided to elevate the margin using the deep margin elevation (DME) technique. Moisture control is more easily handled with a matrix and composite compared to trying to keep a deep box dry at the placement of an indirect restoration. The preferred method used to maximize the bond strength to dentin was immediate dentin sealing combined with resin coating, while the luting material of choice was warmed light-curing resin composite (CLEARFIL™ AP-X). It shows a superior performance compared to dual-cure luting materials e.g. in terms of conversion of monomers to polymers, time available for excess removal, bio-mechanical properties and polymerization shrinkage stress.

Fig. 1. Pre-operative situaton with clearly visible deep distal margin. In reality, it was even deeper than the picture reveals. The Brinker Rubber Dam Clamp B4 placed here is a life saver in cases with subgingival margins. The buccal wall was still intact. We planned to reduce it to allow the onlay to cover it completely, allowing it to work under compression and thus increasing the fracture resistance.

Fig. 2. Situation after placement of a sectional matrix on thedistal aspect of the tooth. In order to retract the rubber dam mesially, PTFE tape was placed in this area. This allowed me to seal the dentin in a perfectly dry environment. For immediate dentin sealing, the smear layer developed on the dentin immediately after tooth preparation was compacted with the aid of air abrasion (50 μm alumina particles) to provide for the best possible bonding conditions, followed by the application of the bonding agent (CLEARFIL™ SE Protect). Afterwards, the bonded dentin was covered with a thin layer of flowable resin composite (CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow). This resin coating ensures that the hybrid layer is thick enough and that the dentin is perfectly sealed.

Fig. 3. After immediate dentin sealing and resin coating. The hybrid layer was left to mature for approximately five minutes. This measure leads to an increased bond strength to dentin, which prevents issues that might occur due to the polymerization shrinkage stress occurring after composite placement. Subsequently, CLEARFIL™ AP-X was applied in small increments, starting in the distal box. In this way, the biobase was built up to the desired height. The main arguments for using CLEARFIL™ AP-X as a replacement for deep dentin are that the modulus of elasticity is within the same range as that of dentin and it exhibits an extraordinarily low polymerization shrinkage.

Fig. 4. Lateral view of the tooth at the day of delivery. View of the tooth at the day of delivery after rubber dam placement and prior to air-abrasion treatment of the biobase, which was performed to remove any remaining temporary cement. Following try-in, the lithium disilicate onlay was cleaned with KATANA™ Cleaner and pretreated with CLEARFIL™ Ceramic Primer. The biobase was sandblasted again for cleaning.

Fig. 5. Onlay in place after selective etching of the enamel with 35 % phosphoric acid etchant, and application of CLEARFIL™ SE Bond to the biobase and the intaglio of the onlay as well as luting with heated CLEARFIL™ AP-X. Excess composite was removed and the composite light cured.

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 6. Occlusial view of the luted restoration.

Dentist:

Max Andrup graduated from the University of Umeå in 2010 and today runs his private practice in the city of Hudiksvall, Sweden. He has a passion for restorative dentistry with a biomimetic approach.

Case by Dr Paul Guicherit

A girl presented to the dental office after a bicycle accident. She had a traumatized maxillary left central incisor and an abrasion injury was visible on and above her upper lip.

The tooth was restored immediately using CLEARFIL™ MAJESTY ES-2 Universal in the shade UL (Universal Light).

The outcome was excellent due to a great optical integration and an invisible transition between the tooth and the resin composite.

Clinical photo credits: Dr Paul Guicherit

Case by Max Andrup

This is the story of cusp fracture due to cuspal tension. This is a common weakness of amalgam-restored teeth associated with expansion of the restorative material. The affected maxillary right first premolar was restored with a crownlay.

For seating of the crownlay, the use of warmed light-curing resin composite (CLEARFIL™ AP-X) has proven its worth. Compared to a dual-cure luting resin, the selected material offers many benefits including the fact that the heat assists in the conversion of monomers to polymers, the time available to remove excess is almost unlimited, and the composite offers better bio-mechanical properties as well as a lower polymerization shrinkage stress.

Fig. 1. Pre-operative situation. The patient requested for an emergency appointment, where we temporarily fixed the lost buccal cusp and made a new appointment for a crownlay preparation. After removing the amalgam and temporary filling, the remaining amount of tooth structure was quite beneficial with a large lingual cusp and a ring of enamel around the whole tooth.

Fig. 2. The decision was made to reduce the lingual cusp and to place a crownlay working in compression. As the thickness of the cusp was adequate for an onlay, this treatment option would have been equally suitable. After tooth preparation, immediate dentin sealing was performed: For this purpose, I air-abraded the dentin to remove the smear layer and give the adhesive the best condition for a strong bond to dentin. Then, CLEARFIL™ SE Protect was applied to the tooth surface and covered with a thin layer of flowable resin composite (CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ Flow) to ensure a total seal.

Fig. 3. The resin composite surface was air-abraded with 50 μm zirconia particles, followed by selective etching of the enamel with a 35-percent phosphoric acid etchant. After try-in of the crownlay made of lithium disilicate, the tooth surface and the restoration were cleaned with KATANA™ Cleaner.

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 4. The cleaned crownlay was pre-treated with CLEARFIL™ Ceramic Primer, before warmed CLEARFIL™ AP-X was applied to both tooth structure and restoration for luting. The colour of the crownlay matched the colour of the adjacent premolar, while the visible part of the restored tooth’s remaining structure was stained from amalgam corrosion.

Dentist:

Max Andrup graduated from the University of Umeå in 2010 and today runs his private practice in the city of Hudiksvall, Sweden. He has a passion for restorative dentistry with a biomimetic approach.

By Dr Alessandro Devigus

This video illustrates the Cementation of Katana STML Crowns with Panavia V5.

Dentist:

DR. ALESSANDRO DEVIGUS

Dr. Alessandro Devigus received his degree from Zurich University, Switzerland, in 1987. Since 1990 his working in his own private practice with a focus on CAD CAM and Digital Dentistry. He is also CEREC Instructor at the Zurich Dental School.

Dr. Alessandro Devigus is an active member of the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (EAED), founder of the Swiss Society of Computerized Dentistry, Neue Gruppe member, ITI fellow and speaker.

Dr. Devigus is editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, author of various publications and an international lecturer.

Case by Max Andrup

This patient had requested for an emergency appointment and presented with severe erosive tooth wear in several teeth, a crack in the mesial wall of the maxillary first molar and a failing direct restoration with recurrent decay on the adjacent second premolar. I decided to replace the direct resin composite restoration immediately as this was the main cause of discomfort. It was decided to restore the other defects during the next appointment.

The resin composite of choice was CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 (Universal shade concept), an innovative material with a single universal shade designed for posterior restorations. The manufacturer claims that, due to the integration of Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.’s light diffusion technology, this universal shade nicely blends in with the surrounding tooth structure virtually independent of its colour. Curious about the real potential of this concept, I wanted to put the material to a test.

Fig. 1. Pre-operative situation revealing signs of severe erosive tooth wear, a cracked mesial wall of the first molar and a failed filling on the second premolar with recurrent decay.

Fig. 2. Appearance of the tooth after removal of the direct composite restoration. The recurrent caries is obvious.

Fig. 3. Caries Detector applied to the decayed tooth structure.

Fig. 4. Establishing of a peripheral zone totally free of caries with the aid of Caries Detector. It may be useful to apply the dye several times.

Fig. 5. The final situation after several applications of Caries Detector. The peripheral zone is completely free of caries, which is a strict requirement for the establishment of a perfect seal during bonding. Affected caries stained light pink is not removed not to risk going near the pulp.

Fig. 6. Build-up of the proximal wall with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 (U shade) after the application of CLEARFIL™ SE Protect and a small layer of CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow in a thickness of about 0,5 mm. By focusing on the proximal wall connecting to enamel first, the hybrid layer is given the time needed to mature. Not putting a new increment on top of the hybrid layer for the first five minutes will lead to an increased bond strength to dentin.

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 7. Appearance of the tooth immediately after finishing and polishing. Although the rubber dam is still in place and the tooth structure is not yet rehydrated, it is evident that the composite blends in very well with the remaining tooth structure to form a seamless margin.

Dentist:

Max Andrup graduated from the University of Umeå in 2010 and today runs his private practice in the city of Hudiksvall, Sweden. He has a passion for restorative dentistry with a biomimetic approach.

Did you know that a complete removal of temporary cement from the abutment tooth with a rubber cup and pumice paste or an ultrasonic scaler is usually impossible? In most cases, some visibly undetectable residues remain on the surface. They will negatively affect the bonding performance of the permanent cementation system you selected. KATANA™ Cleaner is our answer to this problem! Applied after conventional temporary cement removal, it provides optimal conditions for permanent cementation.

All relevant details are revealed in this scientific report.

Did you know that a complete removal of temporary cement from the abutment tooth with a rubber cup and pumice paste or an ultrasonic scaler is usually impossible? In most cases, some visibly undetectable residues remain on the surface. They will negatively affect the bonding performance of the permanent cementation system you selected. KATANA™ Cleaner is our answer to this problem! Applied after conventional temporary cement removal, it provides optimal conditions for permanent cementation.

All relevant details are revealed in this scientific report.

By Aleksandra Łyżwińska, DMD

The MOD restoration on the maxillary left second premolar of this patient was in need of replacement. It was decided to create a direct composite overlay with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow - Super Low A3, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Classic A2. CLEARFIL™ SE BOND 2 was used after selective etching of the enamel to establish a chemical bond to enamel and dentin. For the finishing and polishing procedure, abrasive discs were used first, followed by silicon carbide rubber instruments and the CLEARFIL™ Twist DIA system.

Fig. 1. Initial clinical situation revealing the composite restoration to be replaced on the second premolar.

Fig. 2. Occlusal view of the teeth after cavity preparation including cusp reduction.

Fig. 3. Lateral view of the teeth after cavity preparation.

Fig. 4. Matrix band held in place with wedges and two rings.

Fig. 5. Situation after etching, bonding, removal of one ring, and build-up of the interproximal walls with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Classic in the shade A2.

Fig. 6. Cavity filled with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow - Super Low A3.

Fig. 7. Occlusal surface restored with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Classic in the shade A2.

Fig. 8. Polishing with the pre-polisher of the CLEARFIL™ Twist DIA system.

Fig. 9. Polishing with the high-shine polisher of the CLEARFIL™ Twist DIA system.

Fig. 10. Appearance of the restoration immediately after rubber dam removal and checking of the occlusal contacts.

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 11. Linguo-occlusal view of the treatment outcome.

Fig. 12. Lateral view of the treatment outcome.

Dentist:

ALEKSANDRA ŁYŻWIŃSKA
Warsaw, Poland

Aleksandra Łyżwińska, DMD, is a passionate aesthetic and adhesive dentist. Driven by Evidence Based Dentistry, her goal includes using modern composite materials and bonding agents in her clinical practise. In addition to her primary job, she worked as a lecturer and an assistant professor at the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics of Medical University of Warsaw, her alma mater.

By Aleksandra Łyżwińska, DMD

The MOD restoration on the maxillary left second premolar of this patient was in need of replacement. It was decided to create a direct composite overlay with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow - Super Low A3, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Classic A2. CLEARFIL™ SE BOND 2 was used after selective etching of the enamel to establish a chemical bond to enamel and dentin. For the finishing and polishing procedure, abrasive discs were used first, followed by silicon carbide rubber instruments and the CLEARFIL™ Twist DIA system.

Fig. 1. Initial clinical situation revealing the composite restoration to be replaced on the second premolar.

Fig. 2. Occlusal view of the teeth after cavity preparation including cusp reduction.

Fig. 3. Lateral view of the teeth after cavity preparation.

Fig. 4. Matrix band held in place with wedges and two rings.

Fig. 5. Situation after etching, bonding, removal of one ring, and build-up of the interproximal walls with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Classic in the shade A2.

Fig. 6. Cavity filled with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow - Super Low A3.

Fig. 7. Occlusal surface restored with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Classic in the shade A2.

Fig. 8. Polishing with the pre-polisher of the CLEARFIL™ Twist DIA system.

Fig. 9. Polishing with the high-shine polisher of the CLEARFIL™ Twist DIA system.

Fig. 10. Appearance of the restoration immediately after rubber dam removal and checking of the occlusal contacts.

FINAL SITUATION

Fig. 11. Linguo-occlusal view of the treatment outcome.

Fig. 12. Lateral view of the treatment outcome.

Dentist:

ALEKSANDRA ŁYŻWIŃSKA
Warsaw, Poland

Aleksandra Łyżwińska, DMD, is a passionate aesthetic and adhesive dentist. Driven by Evidence Based Dentistry, her goal includes using modern composite materials and bonding agents in her clinical practise. In addition to her primary job, she worked as a lecturer and an assistant professor at the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics of Medical University of Warsaw, her alma mater.