Flowable composites. A universal solution?

By Peter Schouten, Technical Manager, Kuraray Europe Benelux

The first flowable composites, or flowables, appeared on the dental market in the 1990s. The composition of these materials was entirely based on that of existing packable composites: They contained the same filler particles and resin matrix, but a reduced filler content. Hence, they had a lower viscosity, resulting in better flow characteristics for easy modelling and adaptability to the cavity, but weaker physical and mechanical properties than their packable counterparts. This made them not more than a useful addition to the existing portfolio of resin-based composites: They were widely used as, among others, filling material for Class V lesions and as a liner in large Class I and II cavities.

To broaden the initially limited range of indications, Kuraray Noritake Dental decided to focus on improving the mechanical and physical properties of flowables by developing an entirely new range of products: CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow universal flowable composite. Although its predecessor; CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ Flow has higher filler loading and similar mechanical properties, the term universal indicates that the materials are universally applicable. Indeed, the potential indications are vast when compared with the range of indications of a flowable in the past. No matter whether the user wants to apply it as a liner or plans an extensive Class II restoration, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow is an ideal choice.

Three flowability options

As Kuraray Noritake Dental wanted to create a product that performs as desired in every indication, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow is available in three flowability variants. The high flowability material CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow High (with green label) was designed for use as a liner, the filling of small imperfections and the restoration of small lesions allowing for micro-invasive preparations. The medium flowability variant CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow Low (with blue label) is the most universal of the series and can be used for most indications. The lowest flowability option is CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow Super Low (with red label). It may be used in the context of creating larger posterior restorations and for cementing of inlays or onlays.

Appreciated by practitioners

The fact that the product works well in the hands of the dental practitioner was confirmed in the independent publication Dental Advisor: In the issue January-February 2019 (Volume 36, Number 1), CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow won Dental Advisor's Top Product Award for the fifth year in a row. In the report, it was described as “Universal Highly-Filled Flowable”, and this is exactly what it is!

CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow won Dental Advisor’s Top Product Award for the fifth year in a row.

Unlike the early generation flowables, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow has a high filler content and a flexural strength that is higher than that of most frequently used more paste-like composites.

All three variants are high strength. Compare this with your existing composite.

Given that the universal flowable composite offers so many beneficial properties, dental practitioners might be tempted to replace the packable composite they have been using so far with CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow. For the majority of indications, this is indeed possible. Those who do so, will also find that application and modelling directly from the syringe works very well, eliminating the need for a separate instrument.

Unique technologies

What makes the material so unique? It is probably the combination of existing and new technologies that is responsible for superior mechanical properties, a high aesthetic potential and great handling characteristics. Kuraray Noritake’s unique light diffusion technology utilized in the aesthetic composite range CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 is also used in CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow. Combined with proprietary filler technology, this innovative ingredient is responsible for the fact that restorations made of CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow are assimilated within the surrounding tooth structure almost automatically.

The third decisive component is silane technology. The long-chain silane used in CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow provides for an optimum wetting capacity of the filler particles. This is a key reason why it is possible to increase the filler percentage to such a high level. After polymerization, the strong bond between the filler and the synthetic resin, brought about by the silane, creates a long-lasting bond. The water absorption is therefore also extremely low, a property any user of composites from Kuraray Noritake may be familiar with.

The unique composition of CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow is also responsible for a great polishability and polish retention. Polishing is effortless. Even wiping with alcohol will give a quite nice gloss.

With all these benefits combined in one product, CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES Flow offers unparalleled convenience when it comes to creating composite restorations. Kuraray Noritake Dental is proud to have driven technological innovation and applied new developments them in the right way to give the user endless options with a universal flowable composite.

• May 11, 2021

About the Author

Peter Schouten

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