New Omnichroma composite resin: One choice for every shade

Tokuyama Dental's new OMNICHROMA is the world's first universal composite that aesthetically matches every patient, from A1 to D4, with a single shade. Its uniformly sized supra-nano spherical fillers (260nm spherical SiO2-ZrO2) allow OMNICHROMA to match every one of the 16 VITA classical shades, a science they call Smart Chromatic Technology. And it's a game changer.

Its wide colour-matching ability eliminates shade-taking, reducing composite inventory and saving time and money.

Here, two clinicians weigh in on the long-term performance of this single-shade universal composite.

You've probably been duped by false advertising before and perhaps, by now, you know it when you see it. Exaggerated claims tagged onto dental products often leave dentists sceptical of their real effects. This, in turn, makes them more hesitant to purchase new products and materials, even if they have the potential to solve clinical challenges and improve workflows. To sift through the hype and find the restorative materials that do live up to their claims, you have to do your due diligence.

When it comes to Tokuyama Dental's new OMNICHROMA, single-shade universal composite that matches every patient with one shade, US Dental Product Shopper magazine did the research for you. Last year, 15 of its evaluating clinicians shared their experiences using this resin-based restorative material in their patient cases. All of the evaluators were impressed, saying they would recommend and purchase OMNICHRONA in the future. "It handles, matches and polishes great," summed up Dr Ana Adler Niehoff. "What else can we ask for?"

But there is something else clinicians should expect from their restorative material: its ability to stand the test of time and keep restorations strong.

Extending the lifespan

"I didn't believe it at first," shared Dr Michael Teitelbaum, who has been using OMNICHROMA for more than a year now. Like many of his peers, the Briarcliff Manor, New York, clinician was astounded by the material's ability to blend with the natural colour of any tooth. Now, after seeing patients for recalls and follow-ups, Dr Teitelbaum is confident that all of his restorations placed with OMNICHROMA will continue to remain consistently strong and aesthetic.

"The research shows that OMNICHROMA not only produces beautiful results - it's also one of the strongest composites on the market," he said. "For me, it has held up really well".

Finding materials that support the life of a restoration is critical to achieving long-term restorative success and helping patients and practices avoid the hassle and cost of repairs and restoration failure. OMNICHROMA's high compressive and flexural strength helps it produce lasting results with minimal wear to the composite or opposing dentition.

The science behind OMNICHROMA is in Smart Chromatic Technology, which is achieved by Tokuyama's uniformly sized supra-nano spherical fillers that use structural colour to blend seamlessly with any shade from A1 to D4. This unique technology also allows the material to maintain its colour match over time.

A few months ago, when his wife chipped an incisor, Dr Teitelbaum attempted to restore it using three different composites. Each was ineffective in terms of strength and required additional restorative work. "I redid it with OMNICHROMA and now it looks even more beautiful," he shared, noting that his wife is able to bite down on crunchy foods without having to worry about the restoration breaking. "You can't even tell it's been restored. It's like an invisible restoration".

The proof is in the polishing

For Dr Alan Pressman, shade matching used to be a very involved, time-consuming process. Previously, he kept a kit of 38 composite shades in his Spring Valley, New York, practice. After consolidating down to 7 shades, he discovered OMNICHROMA and learned firsthand how just one material could be enough. "For most cases, it works phenomenally and matches very well," he stated.

If needed, Dr Pressman shapes the material using a multifluted carbide and then polishes. "It comes out great with just light pressure," he said. "After finishing a restoration, you can't see the difference between natural tooth colour and the filling margin".

Encouraging his fellow dentists to try OMNICHROMA for themselves, Dr Teitelbaum said, "It polishes beautifully, doesn't stain and shines long and bright. After 30 years of having to perfectly match multiple shades, now one composite can match everything. I would've never believed it if I hadn't given it a try".

Originally published in Dental Product Shopper. © 2020.