Blog
This year marks the 40th year of Kuraray's entry into the commercial dental products market. This edition of the BOND is fully dedicated to celebrating our unique position in modern dentistry.
We post the BOND here for your convenience; Enjoy!
Previous versions:
DENTAL ADVISOR SIX-MONTH PROGRESS REPORT
Summary
Over a six-month period, 96 restorations were placed. The clinical performance at the time of placement was excellent for esthetics, handling, ease of adjustment, and ease of finish/polish. There were no reports of post-operative sensitivity or debonding. Based on the placement period, CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick with CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow received a clinical performance rating of 100%.
Description:
CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow is a light-cured, universal flowable composite.
It contains submicron fillers that are treated with a proprietary silane
coupling agent to provide for low shrinkage and high mechanical
properties. The submicron fillers and high filler load provide for esthetics.
CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick is a single-bottle, universal bonding agent
that contains a novel rapid bond technology and releases fluoride. It is
compatible with total-, self- and selective-etch techniques and with light-,
self- and dual-cured materials (with CLEARFIL DC Activator).
Clinical Evaluation Protocol (Six Months):
A total of 96 CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick with CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES
Flow restorations were placed in 44 molars, 26 premolars and 26 anterior
teeth (Figure 1). The classification of restorations was recorded as 44 Class
I, 7 Class II, 1 Class III, 30 Class V, and 14 Class VI restorations (Figure 2).
Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.
Results at Six Months:
There were no reports of post-operative sensitivity for CLEARFIL Universal
Bond Quick with CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow. All 96 restorations received
excellent ratings of five for esthetics, handling, ease of adjustment, and
ease of finish/polish (Figure 3). No debonding was observed.
All restorations were evaluated at placement in the following areas: lack
of post-operative sensitivity, esthetics, handling, ease of adjustment, and
ease of finish/polish. Restorations were evaluated on a 1-5 rating scale:
1 = poor, 2 = fair, 3 = good, 4 = very good, 5 = excellent.
Consultants’ Comments
• “I love flowables - CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow is in a class of its own.”
• “I use CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow regularly in areas of incipient decay
- flows well, very esthetic and polishes easily.”
• “CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow is my go-to flowable to repair small chips
in anterior teeth. It blends seamlessly with the tooth.”
• “Great to use in abfraction areas in conjunction with CLEARFIL
Universal Bond Quick. CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow bonds well and is
very easy to finish and polish. Patients love the outcome.”
DENTAL ADVISOR SIX-MONTH PROGRESS REPORT
Summary
Over a six-month period, 96 restorations were placed. The clinical performance at the time of placement was excellent for esthetics, handling, ease of adjustment, and ease of finish/polish. There were no reports of post-operative sensitivity or debonding. Based on the placement period, CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick with CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow received a clinical performance rating of 100%.
Description:
CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow is a light-cured, universal flowable composite.
It contains submicron fillers that are treated with a proprietary silane
coupling agent to provide for low shrinkage and high mechanical
properties. The submicron fillers and high filler load provide for esthetics.
CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick is a single-bottle, universal bonding agent
that contains a novel rapid bond technology and releases fluoride. It is
compatible with total-, self- and selective-etch techniques and with light-,
self- and dual-cured materials (with CLEARFIL DC Activator).
Clinical Evaluation Protocol (Six Months):
A total of 96 CLEARFIL Universal Bond Quick with CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES
Flow restorations were placed in 44 molars, 26 premolars and 26 anterior
teeth (Figure 1). The classification of restorations was recorded as 44 Class
I, 7 Class II, 1 Class III, 30 Class V, and 14 Class VI restorations (Figure 2).
Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.
Results at Six Months:
There were no reports of post-operative sensitivity for CLEARFIL Universal
Bond Quick with CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow. All 96 restorations received
excellent ratings of five for esthetics, handling, ease of adjustment, and
ease of finish/polish (Figure 3). No debonding was observed.
All restorations were evaluated at placement in the following areas: lack
of post-operative sensitivity, esthetics, handling, ease of adjustment, and
ease of finish/polish. Restorations were evaluated on a 1-5 rating scale:
1 = poor, 2 = fair, 3 = good, 4 = very good, 5 = excellent.
Consultants’ Comments
• “I love flowables - CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow is in a class of its own.”
• “I use CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow regularly in areas of incipient decay
- flows well, very esthetic and polishes easily.”
• “CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow is my go-to flowable to repair small chips
in anterior teeth. It blends seamlessly with the tooth.”
• “Great to use in abfraction areas in conjunction with CLEARFIL
Universal Bond Quick. CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES Flow bonds well and is
very easy to finish and polish. Patients love the outcome.”
“The multi-layered aspect of KATANA Zirconia is excellent”
In recent years, zirconia has emerged as the preferred choice for dentists who wish to perform restorative procedures with a reliable and metal-free material. With the recent development of multi-layered aesthetic high-translucency options, zirconia’s popularity has further increased. In comparison to the opaque whiteness of older generations of zirconia, these newer versions have an enhanced appearance and functionality that makes them suitable for natural-looking anterior restorations.
Kuraray Noritake Dental’s KATANA Zirconia disc range is made with a proprietary zirconia powder—processed in-house—that gives it its natural appearance. Suitable for zirconia prostheses, from single crown to full arch, it is an ideal option for restorations in both the anterior and posterior regions. We spoke with Dr Imad Ghandour, a prosthodontist with a strong scientific background and a private practice in Le Cannet in France, about his experiences with the KATANA Zirconia range in restorative procedures.
Dr Ghandour, when did you first start using zirconia as a material for your restorations?
In 1998, when I was still sintering manually, I began using zirconia alumina. It was nice to have an alternative to metal alloys that was much more aesthetic. From 2003, however, I started with VITA blocks, but only for frameworks—I would still build up with ceramics. Now, with so much of dentistry being digitally focused, there is a need for a material that can be milled without changing anything in the morphology of the teeth. Why? Because we need to be able to reproduce the treatment plan as accurately as possible. Simply put, the KATANA Zirconia range solves this need for me.
With respect to dentistry being digitally focused, how has this changed the role of the dentist regarding performing restorative procedures?
Well, it is clear that we have entered the age of digital dentistry. Around 80 per cent of restorations are conducted via CAD/CAM systems and without dentists even touching the materials themselves. There are great advances being made in the technologies that are available for everyday use in dental practices worldwide, and many of them can be used to assist dentists performing restorative procedures. It is important, though, to keep in mind that these technological advancements alone will not lead to better results—they should supplement the requisite hands-on skills and techniques that all dentists must first learn. With this base of fundamentals, we can then use digital dentistry to make restorative procedures more predictable and reproducible. Of course, to ensure the best results in restorative procedures, dentists also need to use the materials that have the best aesthetic and mechanical properties.
For how long have you been using Kuraray Noritake Dental’s KATANA Zirconia range, and what has your experience been?
I have been using KATANA Zirconia for a little bit more than one year. In that time, I have primarily used the KATANA Zirconia STML (Super Translucent Multi Layered) line and have been pleasantly surprised by how natural-looking the restorations I have made with the material are. For example, when I sinter a crown made of Katana Zirconia STML, I am amazed at how much the sintered material is reminiscent of a pearl—it truly brings to mind the idea of one’s teeth being one’s pearly whites.
When using KATANA, how do you ensure that you select the correct shade to achieve a natural look?
Firstly, no one—not a dentist nor a dental technician—can be absolutely certain that the shade and chroma of the restoration that is in one’s hand will be the same once it is in position in the oral cavity. This is due to the complexities of the oral environment—the pinkness of the gingivae, for one, can have a large impact on how the restoration appears, often making it seem far duller than it does in the light of a dental laboratory. This can cause dental practitioners to compensate and make prostheses that appear far brighter than they will when they are in place.
With a product like KATANA and its related glazing materials, however, I can create crowns and other restorations that have an optimal fluorescence and translucency and are able to maintain their shading better than any other ceramic material I have used. I am able to select a shade with the confidence that it will look exactly the same once placed inside the mouth, with its chroma remaining unabsorbed by the gingiva. Achieving a natural look, then, depends on choosing a shade that is as close to that of the surrounding dentition as possible. Since KATANA Zirconia UTML (Ultra Translucent Multi Layered) is available in 16 standard shades and a further four enamel shades, there is no shortage of options in this regard.
How does the multi-layered technology of KATANA Zirconia help you to achieve optimal and natural-looking aesthetic results?
Well, firstly, the layering of the material is designed to replicate the colour and translucency progression of natural teeth, which allows for restorations to blend in as much as possible. This multi-layered technology has also proved itself to be very handy when I am sintering crowns made of KATANA Zirconia. Simply put, if one sinters a crown quickly, it will be a little more opaque. If one sinters it at a higher temperature and quite slowly, it will be much more translucent. The multi-layered aspect of KATANA Zirconia is excellent in that it gives me the ability to make restorations more or less translucent depending on what is required.
“The multi-layered aspect of KATANA Zirconia is excellent”
In recent years, zirconia has emerged as the preferred choice for dentists who wish to perform restorative procedures with a reliable and metal-free material. With the recent development of multi-layered aesthetic high-translucency options, zirconia’s popularity has further increased. In comparison to the opaque whiteness of older generations of zirconia, these newer versions have an enhanced appearance and functionality that makes them suitable for natural-looking anterior restorations.
Kuraray Noritake Dental’s KATANA Zirconia disc range is made with a proprietary zirconia powder—processed in-house—that gives it its natural appearance. Suitable for zirconia prostheses, from single crown to full arch, it is an ideal option for restorations in both the anterior and posterior regions. We spoke with Dr Imad Ghandour, a prosthodontist with a strong scientific background and a private practice in Le Cannet in France, about his experiences with the KATANA Zirconia range in restorative procedures.
Dr Ghandour, when did you first start using zirconia as a material for your restorations?
In 1998, when I was still sintering manually, I began using zirconia alumina. It was nice to have an alternative to metal alloys that was much more aesthetic. From 2003, however, I started with VITA blocks, but only for frameworks—I would still build up with ceramics. Now, with so much of dentistry being digitally focused, there is a need for a material that can be milled without changing anything in the morphology of the teeth. Why? Because we need to be able to reproduce the treatment plan as accurately as possible. Simply put, the KATANA Zirconia range solves this need for me.
With respect to dentistry being digitally focused, how has this changed the role of the dentist regarding performing restorative procedures?
Well, it is clear that we have entered the age of digital dentistry. Around 80 per cent of restorations are conducted via CAD/CAM systems and without dentists even touching the materials themselves. There are great advances being made in the technologies that are available for everyday use in dental practices worldwide, and many of them can be used to assist dentists performing restorative procedures. It is important, though, to keep in mind that these technological advancements alone will not lead to better results—they should supplement the requisite hands-on skills and techniques that all dentists must first learn. With this base of fundamentals, we can then use digital dentistry to make restorative procedures more predictable and reproducible. Of course, to ensure the best results in restorative procedures, dentists also need to use the materials that have the best aesthetic and mechanical properties.
For how long have you been using Kuraray Noritake Dental’s KATANA Zirconia range, and what has your experience been?
I have been using KATANA Zirconia for a little bit more than one year. In that time, I have primarily used the KATANA Zirconia STML (Super Translucent Multi Layered) line and have been pleasantly surprised by how natural-looking the restorations I have made with the material are. For example, when I sinter a crown made of Katana Zirconia STML, I am amazed at how much the sintered material is reminiscent of a pearl—it truly brings to mind the idea of one’s teeth being one’s pearly whites.
When using KATANA, how do you ensure that you select the correct shade to achieve a natural look?
Firstly, no one—not a dentist nor a dental technician—can be absolutely certain that the shade and chroma of the restoration that is in one’s hand will be the same once it is in position in the oral cavity. This is due to the complexities of the oral environment—the pinkness of the gingivae, for one, can have a large impact on how the restoration appears, often making it seem far duller than it does in the light of a dental laboratory. This can cause dental practitioners to compensate and make prostheses that appear far brighter than they will when they are in place.
With a product like KATANA and its related glazing materials, however, I can create crowns and other restorations that have an optimal fluorescence and translucency and are able to maintain their shading better than any other ceramic material I have used. I am able to select a shade with the confidence that it will look exactly the same once placed inside the mouth, with its chroma remaining unabsorbed by the gingiva. Achieving a natural look, then, depends on choosing a shade that is as close to that of the surrounding dentition as possible. Since KATANA Zirconia UTML (Ultra Translucent Multi Layered) is available in 16 standard shades and a further four enamel shades, there is no shortage of options in this regard.
How does the multi-layered technology of KATANA Zirconia help you to achieve optimal and natural-looking aesthetic results?
Well, firstly, the layering of the material is designed to replicate the colour and translucency progression of natural teeth, which allows for restorations to blend in as much as possible. This multi-layered technology has also proved itself to be very handy when I am sintering crowns made of KATANA Zirconia. Simply put, if one sinters a crown quickly, it will be a little more opaque. If one sinters it at a higher temperature and quite slowly, it will be much more translucent. The multi-layered aspect of KATANA Zirconia is excellent in that it gives me the ability to make restorations more or less translucent depending on what is required.
PANAVIA and KATANA: The perfect combination
Scientific research has demonstrated that, when bonding zirconia, optimal bond values can only be achieved with resin cements—specifically, MDP monomer-based resin cements. With PANAVIA V5, we offer a dual-cure resin cement with dentine bond strengths equal to our gold standard light-cure bonding agent CLEARFIL SE BOND, even when used in self-cure mode. Through our KATANA Zirconia range, Kuraray Noritake Dental presents a ceramic material for restorative procedures that has excellent translucency and shade options. Together, PANAVIA V5 and KATANA Zirconia make an ideal team for durable and reliable indirect restorations.
PANAVIA V5
In 1983, Kuraray introduced its patented MDP monomer in PANAVIA EX cement. With its clinically proven adhesion, our PANAVIA family has set the industry standard for adhesion for over 30 years. As the newest addition to the PANAVIA cement line, PANAVIA V5 provides strong bonding not just to zirconia but to hydroxyapatite and metals as well. Unlike other dual-cure resin cements, PANAVIA V5 offers improved bond strength to all tooth structures. Simple to use and with predictable results, PANAVIA V5 is unique in its user friendliness and procedural consistency.
KATANA Zirconia
Our KATANA Zirconia discs are processed using a proprietary zirconia powder, allowing it to have as natural a translucency and colour as possible. The KATANA range consists of several options designed for full-contour zirconia prostheses, from single crown to full arch: KATANA Zirconia UTML (Ultra Translucent Multi Layered), STML (Super Translucent Multi Layered), ML (Multi Layered) and HT (High Translucent). The multilayered build-up of KATANA Zirconia STML provides a translucency and chroma that gradually decrease from the cervical to incisal regions, just like natural dentition. KATANA Zirconia UTML is perfect for anterior restorations, such as veneers, owing to its natural translucency and colour gradient. With a flexural strength considerably higher than that of lithium disilicate, KATANA Zirconia has the mechanical and aesthetic properties to achieve well-balanced restorations between natural teeth in the anterior zone.
An ideal team
PANAVIA V5 provides a strong and durable bond between KATANA Zirconia-based restorations and the tooth structure. PANAVIA V5 resin cement offers optimal margins and predictable restorations. Always use PANAVIA V5 Tooth Primer for the pretreatment of the tooth and CLEARFIL CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS for the priming of the restoration.
“We’re thrilled by the possibilities presented from the combination of PANAVIA V5 and KATANA Zirconia,” said Mitsuru Takei, Head of Technical Services at Kuraray Europe. “Together, they make achieving natural-looking restorations easier than ever.”
PANAVIA and KATANA: The perfect combination
Scientific research has demonstrated that, when bonding zirconia, optimal bond values can only be achieved with resin cements—specifically, MDP monomer-based resin cements. With PANAVIA V5, we offer a dual-cure resin cement with dentine bond strengths equal to our gold standard light-cure bonding agent CLEARFIL SE BOND, even when used in self-cure mode. Through our KATANA Zirconia range, Kuraray Noritake Dental presents a ceramic material for restorative procedures that has excellent translucency and shade options. Together, PANAVIA V5 and KATANA Zirconia make an ideal team for durable and reliable indirect restorations.
PANAVIA V5
In 1983, Kuraray introduced its patented MDP monomer in PANAVIA EX cement. With its clinically proven adhesion, our PANAVIA family has set the industry standard for adhesion for over 30 years. As the newest addition to the PANAVIA cement line, PANAVIA V5 provides strong bonding not just to zirconia but to hydroxyapatite and metals as well. Unlike other dual-cure resin cements, PANAVIA V5 offers improved bond strength to all tooth structures. Simple to use and with predictable results, PANAVIA V5 is unique in its user friendliness and procedural consistency.
KATANA Zirconia
Our KATANA Zirconia discs are processed using a proprietary zirconia powder, allowing it to have as natural a translucency and colour as possible. The KATANA range consists of several options designed for full-contour zirconia prostheses, from single crown to full arch: KATANA Zirconia UTML (Ultra Translucent Multi Layered), STML (Super Translucent Multi Layered), ML (Multi Layered) and HT (High Translucent). The multilayered build-up of KATANA Zirconia STML provides a translucency and chroma that gradually decrease from the cervical to incisal regions, just like natural dentition. KATANA Zirconia UTML is perfect for anterior restorations, such as veneers, owing to its natural translucency and colour gradient. With a flexural strength considerably higher than that of lithium disilicate, KATANA Zirconia has the mechanical and aesthetic properties to achieve well-balanced restorations between natural teeth in the anterior zone.
An ideal team
PANAVIA V5 provides a strong and durable bond between KATANA Zirconia-based restorations and the tooth structure. PANAVIA V5 resin cement offers optimal margins and predictable restorations. Always use PANAVIA V5 Tooth Primer for the pretreatment of the tooth and CLEARFIL CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS for the priming of the restoration.
“We’re thrilled by the possibilities presented from the combination of PANAVIA V5 and KATANA Zirconia,” said Mitsuru Takei, Head of Technical Services at Kuraray Europe. “Together, they make achieving natural-looking restorations easier than ever.”
TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER: A natural solution for sensitive teeth
Kuraray Noritake Dental’s TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER is designed to provide an immediate and long-lasting solution for dentine sensitivity. Owing to a specially modified powder free of potential irritants like methacrylates and colophony resins, TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER is biocompatible and harmless to tissue. The first desensitiser to form hydroxyapatite, TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER possesses a neutral taste that will please patients. Since its introduction in 2013, dentists have hailed the product for its safe tubule sealing and for providing patients with immediate relief.
TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER consists of a powder, composed mainly of calcium phosphate, and a liquid, whose chief component is water. The powder and liquid simply need to be mixed. After the paste has been applied with a superfine brush to the affected area for 30 seconds, the material sets into hydroxyapatite, providing an instant reduction of hypersensitivity by sealing the dentinal tubules and microcracks in the enamel.
Hydroxyapatite: The human body’s strongest mineral
The presence of hydroxyapatite encourages tooth remineralisation, protecting teeth against hypersensitivity and after professional tooth cleaning. TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER is composed of two different calcium phosphates that react under water to form hydroxyapatite. Since Kuraray Noritake Dental’s technology ensures the right calcium–phosphate ion ratio with a suitable pH level, the newly formed hydroxyapatite acts as if it were the patient’s own, crystallising so that it can neatly seal dentinal tubules and enamel cracks.
Suitable for most sensitivity issues
TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER has a wide range of indications, from whitening-related dentine sensitivity to the treatment of dentine exposed by periodontitis, abraded by harsh toothbrushing, or prepared for fillings and/or restorations.
TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER is an invisible and durable form of treatment. When applied, it occludes open dentinal tubules without leaving a film on the tooth. It is fast and easy to use—simply mix the powder and liquid, apply with a rubbing motion to the sensitive region for 30 seconds and rinse lightly with water. No air blowing or light curing is required, as the calcium phosphates in the substance harden on their own, providing patients with fast relief from sensitivity-related pain.
Proven effectiveness
In a survey conducted by Kuraray Noritake Dental, Japanese dentists were asked to rate the effectiveness of TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER. Of the 285 respondents, 92 per cent said that they were satisfied with the product’s effectiveness.
No impact on bond strength
TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER has been clinically proven not to reduce the bond strength of adhesives or cements when it is used prior to their application. This is a considerable advantage for dentists using etch and rinse adhesives, for instance, as they can apply TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER without any concerns about potentially deleterious effects on restorations. A smart, invisible and durable form of dentine sensitivity treatment, TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER promises to satisfy both dentists and patients.
TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER: A natural solution for sensitive teeth
Kuraray Noritake Dental’s TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER is designed to provide an immediate and long-lasting solution for dentine sensitivity. Owing to a specially modified powder free of potential irritants like methacrylates and colophony resins, TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER is biocompatible and harmless to tissue. The first desensitiser to form hydroxyapatite, TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER possesses a neutral taste that will please patients. Since its introduction in 2013, dentists have hailed the product for its safe tubule sealing and for providing patients with immediate relief.
TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER consists of a powder, composed mainly of calcium phosphate, and a liquid, whose chief component is water. The powder and liquid simply need to be mixed. After the paste has been applied with a superfine brush to the affected area for 30 seconds, the material sets into hydroxyapatite, providing an instant reduction of hypersensitivity by sealing the dentinal tubules and microcracks in the enamel.
Hydroxyapatite: The human body’s strongest mineral
The presence of hydroxyapatite encourages tooth remineralisation, protecting teeth against hypersensitivity and after professional tooth cleaning. TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER is composed of two different calcium phosphates that react under water to form hydroxyapatite. Since Kuraray Noritake Dental’s technology ensures the right calcium–phosphate ion ratio with a suitable pH level, the newly formed hydroxyapatite acts as if it were the patient’s own, crystallising so that it can neatly seal dentinal tubules and enamel cracks.
Suitable for most sensitivity issues
TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER has a wide range of indications, from whitening-related dentine sensitivity to the treatment of dentine exposed by periodontitis, abraded by harsh toothbrushing, or prepared for fillings and/or restorations.
TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER is an invisible and durable form of treatment. When applied, it occludes open dentinal tubules without leaving a film on the tooth. It is fast and easy to use—simply mix the powder and liquid, apply with a rubbing motion to the sensitive region for 30 seconds and rinse lightly with water. No air blowing or light curing is required, as the calcium phosphates in the substance harden on their own, providing patients with fast relief from sensitivity-related pain.
Proven effectiveness
In a survey conducted by Kuraray Noritake Dental, Japanese dentists were asked to rate the effectiveness of TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER. Of the 285 respondents, 92 per cent said that they were satisfied with the product’s effectiveness.
No impact on bond strength
TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER has been clinically proven not to reduce the bond strength of adhesives or cements when it is used prior to their application. This is a considerable advantage for dentists using etch and rinse adhesives, for instance, as they can apply TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER without any concerns about potentially deleterious effects on restorations. A smart, invisible and durable form of dentine sensitivity treatment, TEETHMATE DESENSITIZER promises to satisfy both dentists and patients.
