VOCO’s Admira Fusion x-tra Combines Optimal Physical Properties with Universal Shade Matching

Whether it’s a dentist running his or her own practice or a purchasing manager for a large dental service organization, the focus is often on reducing costs and inventory, while still ensuring quality care and patient satisfaction. The result is akin to the skewed gaze of a chameleon as it looks in two different directions: the business of dentistry on one hand, and the profession of dentistry on the other. VOCO’s Admira Fusion x-tra is designed to address both needs while also enhancing quality of care, esthetics, and the range of physical properties that contribute to a successful, long-lasting restoration.

Admira Fusion x-tra is VOCO’s nano-ORMOCER (ORganically MOdified CERamic) restorative material that features highly esthetic omni-chromatic properties that allow a single, universal shade to match the full range of tooth shades (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Featuring a 4-mm depth of cure, Admira Fusion x-tra offers excellent physical properties, as well — including an extremely low shrinkage rate of 1.25% by volume and a shrinkage stress up to 50% less than conventional composites (Figures 3A through 3D). This means a much lower chance of restoration failure, greater longevity and, ultimately, a greater chance for patient satisfaction.

This advanced material is 100% BPA free, eliminating a growing concern among patients and practitioners. Rather, its ORMOCER matrix is based on pure silicate technology and thus contains no classic monomers — ranking it among the most, if not the most, biocompatible restoratives available.

UNIQUE NANOPARTICULATE FORMULA

The nanoparticulate of which this material is composed — constituting 60% of the material’s total volume — is grown using the sol-gel crystallization process, rather than ground down from larger particulate. This not only enables VOCO to achieve a much smaller particulate size, but also makes each piece perfectly spherical. Each individual piece of particulate is between 20 to 40 nanometers (nm) in diameter, smaller than the visible wavelengths of light, which range from 400 to 700 nm (Figure 4). As a result, Admira Fusion x-tra’s nanoparticulate neither diffracts nor refracts light as it passes through the material and bounces off the surrounding tooth structure. This causes the restoration to take on the appearance and color of the surrounding tooth structure (Figure 2), much like a chameleon blending into its environment. Because this single omni-chromatic universal shade matches the full range of tooth shades, inventory needs are greatly reduced. This eliminates the amount of restorative offices have to buy, store in their inventory and, ultimately, throw away when unused shades inevitably expire.

With an 84% filler content (by weight), this light-cured, radiopaque material delivers excellent strength and wear properties. Additionally, Admira Fusion x-tra is compatible with all conventional bonding agents and offers homogeneous, nonsticky handling.

LONG-LASTING ESTHETICS

Admira Fusion x-tra’s extremely low water solubility of less than 0.1 μg/mm³ supports long-term shade stability and stain resistance, so restorations maintain their luster and polish. The monomer-based resin in most composite restorations is hydrophilic, with greater tendencies to absorb liquids like coffee, wine and tea, which, over time, cause staining. Admira Fusion x-tra’s ORMOCER matrix is made up of large pre-polymerized molecula

r groupings and has a significantly lower water absorption rate, allowing for greater stain resistance and resulting in restorations that maintain excellent long-term esthetics.

At the end of the day, practitioners find themselves juggling a myriad of sometimes opposing priorities in what they want from a restorative material: handling, speed, ease-of-use, esthetics, strength, longevity and biocompatibility — just to name a few. In terms of handling and ease-of-use, Admira Fusion x-tra delivers with its nonsticky consistency and the time and effort saved by eliminating the shade-matching step. In terms of esthetics, this material’s ceramic-like luster and omni-chromatic chameleon effect are particularly striking. And when it comes to more common allergic concerns and successful long-term outcomes, Admira Fusion x-tra’s biocompatibility is unmatched. In light of the many priorities practitioners look for in a material, ultimately, a happy patient tops the list — and VOCO’s advanced, one-shade restorative supports this goal with predictable, convenient and long-lasting restorations.

From Decisions in Dentistry. November/December 2019;5(10):50—51.