Ask The Editors
Q: Do you have any recommendations for an impression material that has a quick set, but is still very accurate?
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2012 Product Awards
THE DENTAL ADVISOR has selected 41 products for special recognition. Our Product Awards are given to the dental products that have exceeded our standards of performance and quality. The products were selected for awards based on the clinical experience of our Editorial Board and Consulting Team.
Assistants’ Choice
Ultramat 2 is a dual-voltage amalgamator that has a high-precision microprocessor controlled timer (0-16 second) to provide consistent and accurate trituration, ensuring optimal handling and clinical characteristics of mixed materials.
Ultramat 2
- “Ultramat 2 is extremely quiet.”
- “Easy to setup and easy to change settings.”
- “Five-year warranty is outstanding.”
- “I plan to buy a couple of these.”
- “Compact to store in a convenient space.”
- “The prongs were stiff when placing and removing the capsule.”
Hygienists' Choice
Zooby Prophy Angles
Denticator, Inc.
Zooby™ Prophy Angles are disposable, latex-free prophy angles with a soft web cup to ensure low splatter. They fit all slow speed handpieces and are available in five creative animal designs.
Zooby Prophy Angles
- “I liked the kid friendly designs and their names.”
- “The animal characters were great for children ages 2-8. It really helped to engage the patient.”
- “Zooby Prophy Angles performed as well or better than any prophy angles I have used"
- “I will definitely keep a box on hand for the little ones.”
- “Some kids took a while to choose which one to use.”
- “Cup size is a little big for primary teeth.”
Top 4th-Generation Bonding Agent
Adper™ Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus Adhesive System
3M ESPE
Adper™ Scotchbond Multi-Puropse Plus Adhesive System is recommended as an
excellent all-purpose bonding system. It bonds to enamel, dentin, composite, porcelain,
and metal.
Adper™ Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus Adhesive System
- “A lubricant should be used on the matrix band for a bonded amalgam restoration.”
- “An amalgam must be placed quickly because bonding agent sets quickly.”
Top 5th-Generation Bonding Agent
iBOND Total Etch
Heraeus
iBOND Total Etch is a light-cured, etch-and-rinse bonding agent
(5th-generation) for use with adhesive restorations.
iBOND Total Etch
- “Good surface wettability – only one application needed.”
- “No need to refrigerate.”
- “No post-operative sensitivity.”
- “The green bottle of iBOND Total Etch is easy to differentiate from the
Top 6th-Generation Bonding Agent, Type I
CLEARFIL SE Protect
Kuraray America
CLEARFIL SE Protect is a self-etching primer/light-cured bonding system.
CLEARFIL SE Protect
- “I love the storage and dispensing system.”
- “Application time printed on the dispensing case is very helpful.”
- “No sensitivity.”
- “Appears to have all of the benefi ts of CLEARFIL SE BOND and more.”
- “The antibacterial feature is an added benefi t.”
- “Bonds to metal matrix bands.”
Top 6th-Generation Bonding Agent, Type 2
ACE ALL-BOND SE
Bisco Dental Products
ACE® ALL-BOND SE® is a self-etching (6th-generation, Type II) bonding agent that
combines etching, priming and bonding in a dual-chamber cartridge dispensing system.
ACE ALL-BOND SE
- “It is my go-to product!”
- “Easy to dispense and mix - consistent results.”
- “Color is easy to see.”
- “I didn’t observe any sensitivity.”
- “Include large and small microbrushes in the kit.”
Top 7th-Generation Bonding Agent
G-aenial Bond
GC America, Inc.
G-aenial Bond is a 7th-generation bonding agent designed for the selective etching
technique (self-etch for dentin, etch and rinse for uncut enamel).
G-aenial Bond
- “Easy to apply, good dispensing method, good viscosity.”
- “Bonding agent wets the tooth well - I didn’t worry about missing an area.”
- “I like that this bonding agent does not require refrigeration.”
- “Product is sensitive to ambient light.”
- “It evaporates very quickly.”
Top 7th-Generation Bonding Agent Dual Cure
Futurabond DC
VOCO
Futurabond DC is a dual-cured, self-etching bonding agent (7th-generation) that is
reinforced with nano-particles.
Futurabond DC
- “SingleDose design is relatively easy to use.”
- “Good wettability of the tooth surface.”
- “Futurabond DC SingleDose provides fresh material for each case.”
- “Versatile adhesive system.”
- “Does not have a strong odor.”
Top Air-Driven, High Speed Handpiece
STATIS ML
SciCan
STATIS ML is a line of air-driven handpieces available in two head sizes. These high-speed handpieces have a 25,000 LUX illumination, an innovative spray system, and a push-button chuck mechanism.
STATIS ML
- “I liked the light weight, balance and small head size.”
- “Great all-around handpieces.”
- “Very good torque.”
- “Super warranty!”
- “Water spray would sometimes decrease during use.”
Top Alginate
imprESSIX Color Change
DENTSPLY Raintree Essix
imprESSIX Color Change is a fast-set, dust-free, berry-scented alginate impression material that changes color to indicate the stage of set.
imprESSIX Color Change
- “Exceptional detail - best of all alginates.”
- “Patients found the taste pleasant.”
- “Best model I’ve seen from an alginate.”
- “Loved it!”
Top Bite Registration Material
R-SI-LINE ® METAL-BITE
R-SI-LINE ® METAL-BITE (R-dental)
R-SI-LINE METAL-BITE is an addition silicone (VPS) registration material and may be used for conventional intraoral registrations and for powderless scanning in conjunction with universal CAD/CAM systems.
R-SI-LINE ® METAL-BITE
- “My new favorite bite registration!”
- “Easy to dispense.”
- “Sets incredibly fast.”
- “Not brittle!”
- “Easy to use.”
- “Trims easily.”
- “No taste at all!”
Top Composite-Bulk Fill
SureFil SDR flow
DENTSPLY Caulk
Surefil SDR flow is a posterior bulk fill flowable base for Class I and II restorations. SureFil SDR flow has handling characteristics typical of a flowable composite but can be placed in 4 mm increments with minimal polymerization stress.
SureFil SDR flow
- "It flowed and adapted to interproximal areas, and undercuts of preparations were completely filled each time."
- "Wonderful flow, perfect consistency. The self leveling feature is excellent."
- "Interproximal contacts were nice and tight."
- “Some posterior locations are hard to reach with the gun, and it can be diffi cult to bend
- “The material is quite translucent and does not mask dark dentin very well.”
- “Make the metal tip easier to bend.”
Top Composite - Esthetic
CLEARFIL MAJESTY Esthetic
Kuraray America
CLEARFIL MAJESTY Esthetic is a light-cure, nanofilled, radiopaque composite for
anterior and posterior Class I-V restorations, veneers, and intraoral repairs.
CLEARFIL MAJESTY Esthetic
- “Great esthetics! Ranks with some of the best composites I have used.”
- “I really liked the way it blended with the natural tooth structure.”
- “The light diffusion is interesting; it has about the same opacity as the tooth.”
- “It is a little stickier than what I like; especially in the posterior region.”
- “Stacked well but had good fl ow properties.”
Top Composite Finishing & Polishing System
Super-Snap Singles
Shofu Dental Corp.
Super-Snap Singles are thin, flexible disks with a silicone rubber center. The plastic, latch-type mandrel is disposable.
Super-Snap Singles
- “Excellent polish!”
- “Plastic mandrels in each packet are great! No more hunting for the few metal mandrels in the office.”
- “No metal in the center of the disk is great!”
- “I would prefer single packs with either small or large disks, not both.”
Top Composite - One Step Polisher
Dimanto
VOCO
Dimanto is a one-step polishing system for pre-polishing and high-gloss polishing of
composite restorations.
Dimanto
- “Concentric wheels – good selection of shapes.”
- “Firm, reusable tips – they do not degrade quickly.”
- “Produces polish without a lot of pressure.”
- “Good polish after repeated sterilization cycles.”
- “Infection control recommendations in the instructions are not relevant to US standards.”
Top Composite-Universal
Estelite Sigma Quick
Tokuyama Dental Corp./Tokuyama America Inc.
Estelite Sigma Quick is a low-shrinkage, submicronfilled composite for use in both anterior and posterior restorations.
Estelite Sigma Quick
- "Works well with all of the bonding systems I use in my office."
- "Great handling!"
- "Not as sensitive to the operating light as other composites."
- "Huge variety of shades that blend very well with tooth."
- "It’s rare that I would get this excited about a composite, but this one blew me away!"
- “One box that holds several components would aid in the ease of transporting the kit
Top Composite-High Viscosity
GrandioSO Heavy Flow
VOCO
GrandioSO Heavy Flow is a radiopaque, light-cured, flowable composite that is
characterized by its high viscosity and high filler content.
GrandioSO Heavy Flow
- “I liked the consistency, flows but stackable.”
- “Good option for Class V restorations where too much flow is a problem.”
- “I liked the high filler content – may have more wear resistance.”
- “Shade selection and esthetics were good.”
- “Labeling on the syringe clearly indicates viscosity and curing time.”
- “The high viscosity makes it a little more diffi cult to express from the syringe.”
Top Composite-Low Viscosity
Estelite Flow Quick
Tokuyama Dental America)
Estelite Flow Quick is a low-viscosity, light-cured, radiopaque,
submicron-filled resin composite.
Estelite Flow Quick
- “Good esthetics and finishing characteristics.”
- “Controlled flow and a lack of bubbles.”
- “Increase the opacity of the opalescent shades.”
Top Core Material
Rebilda DC
VOCO America, Inc.
Rebilda DC is a dual-cured, radiopaque, flowable composite core build-up material.
Rebilda DC
- “The flow and dual-cured feature are great!”
- “Material is hard after setting, and it cuts very well.”
- “There is less waste and more control during placement.”
- “Good for block-out.”
- “Adapts well to pins/posts.”
Top Electric Handpiece System
MX2 Micro-Series
Bien-Air USA Inc.
The MX2 Micro-Series is an electric handpiece system that is shorter and lighter than other models. The MX2 LED Micromotor combined with the new Micro-Series handpieces provides a unit which is purported to be 30% shorter and 23% lighter. The motor connects to the Optima MX2 control unit that features adjustable intensity LED light, a speed range from 100-40,000 rpm, and a touchpad console for precise selection of motor speed, rotation direction and torque.
MX2 Micro-Series
- “Easy to use within the mouth.”
- “Many programs available and they can be customized.”
- “I liked the ease of attaching the handpiece.”
Top Esthetic Post System
ParaPost Taper Lux
Coltene/Whaledent, Inc.
ParaPost Taper Lux is a tapered, glass-fiber post with unidirectional fibers in a resin matrix.
ParaPost Taper Lux
- “The posts have a retentive head design.”
- “The natural color of the posts enhances esthetics, especially in the anterior.”
- “Excellent product! ParaPost has been around for a long time and this is their best product.”
- “It is a big help that the drills are color-coded to the posts.”
Top Esthetic Resin Cement
Variolink II
Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc
Variolink II is dual-cured/light-cured esthetic resin cement for luting indirect ceramic and composite restorations.
Variolink II
- “Consistent, trustworthy product.”
- “Very complete kit.”
- “Easy to follow illustrated instructions.”
- “Great shade selection.”
- “Excellent viscosity.”
Top Face Mask
SecureFit Face Mask
Crosstex
SecureFit® Face Masks are a patent pending fluid-resistant, ear loop, disposable, single use face masks.
SecureFit Face Mask
- “Masks have a good fi t and are secure and comfortable.”
- “I like the top and bottom strips for better adaptation/comfort.”
- “Easy to breath - does not fog up glasses.”
- “I like the availability of three barrier levels.”
- “Loved it - the best earloop mask I have ever tried.”
- “Some of the masks had an unpleasant odor.”
Top Glove
XCEED Nitrile Disposable Examination Gloves
Microflex Corporation)
XCEED Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves are non-sterile, single use, ambidextrous,
non-latex gloves.
XCEED Nitrile Disposable Examination Gloves
- “The tactile sense is better and the gloves were more fl exible
- “I love how they feel - they fi t well and have excellent tactile sense.”
- “They felt natural. The size was perfect.”
- “The length of the glove is short in the wrist area.”
- “The gloves were big in the fi ngers and wrist.”
Top Impression Material
Aquasil Ultra Smart Wetting Impression Material
DENTSPLY Caulk
Aquasil Ultra Smart Wetting® Impression Material is an addition silicone impression material. This new formula of Aquasil is designed with a reduced contact angle, an increase in tear strength, and maintenance of a low viscosity during the working time.
Aquasil Ultra Smart Wetting Impression Material
- “Remarkable accuracy in a moist environment.”
- “Excellent resistance to tearing, especially in thin areas.”
- “Many patients commented positively on the mint flavor and scent.”
Top Infection Control Product
FlashTips
Sultan Healthcare
FlashTips are disposable air/water syringe tips that are designed to help prevent cross contamination. FlashTips feature a locking indicator and wide locking groove to ensure tip is in place, and separate air and water chambers to minimize crossover.
FlashTips
- “Easy to use and disposable.”
- “Great separation of air and water – air had no water contamination.”
- “These tips have the dual chambers for the air and water and do not require a converter for our A-dec/W&H equipment – good value.”
Top Innovative Equipment
MIDWEST Stylus ATC
DENTSPLY Professional
The MIDWEST® Stylus™ ATC is a high-speed, air-driven handpiece that features Speed-Sensing Intelligence (SSI), which automatically optimizes power to virtually eliminate stalling without having to be monitored or requiring frequent adjustments, and adjusts speed when the bur is not under load to minimize wear on handpiece bearings.
MIDWEST Stylus ATC
- “Nice feel and balance.”
- “Very ergonomic, easy on the wrist, swivel is excellent.”
- “Torque is excellent – cuts smoothly.”
Top Innovative Product
Onset
Onpharma
Onset is a chairside anesthetic buffering system. It is indicated to reduce injection pain.
Onset
- “Easy to use and incorporate into the routine.”
- “After administering a mandibular block, I can begin working in 1-2 minutes.”
- “Great solution for patients who are hard to numb.”
Top Intraoral Camera
Polaris
Air Techniques
POLARIS is a digital intra-oral camera system (640 x 480 pixels) with direct USB connectivity to provide both power and data transfer, as well as room-to-room mobility.
Polaris
- “Nice, clear images - releasing button to capture image is a good idea.”
- “Swivel capability, comfort for practitioner and images are nice.”
- “I would like a higher resolution for crisper display on larger monitors and better print quality.”
Top Laboratory Product
LabPro
DentalEZ
LabPro is a lightweight and compact, brushless laboratory handpiece system. It is available with foot or knee control and has a speed range of 1,000-50,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 8.7 Ncm.
LabPro
- “Very quiet operation – no vibration.”
- “This is by far the smoothest lab handpiece I have ever used.”
- “Easy to adjust speed.”
Top Light-Curing Unit
Demi Plus Light Curing System
Kerr Corporation
The Demi Plus Light Curing System is a visible LED light-curing unit intended for polymerization of light-cured materials. It is powered by Demetron Technology and has a high-performance thermoplastic polyester resin exterior.
Demi Plus Light Curing System
- “Easy to use, multiple curing capabilities, intense light, solid charging station.”
- “Ease of use in the mouth because of the size and rotation of the light.”
- “I liked longer tip – easier to reach posterior teeth.”
Top Long-term Performer -Ceramic
IPS e.max
Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc
IPS e.max Press (Ivoclar Vivadent) is a high-strength, lithium disilicate ceramic used for anterior and posterior restorations as well as three-unit bridges
IPS e.max
- “Beautiful shade match.”
- “Very nice fit – margins were undetectable.”
Top Long-Term Performer - Composite
CLEARFIL MAJESTY Esthetic
Kuraray America)
CLEARFIL MAJESTY Esthetic is a universal, lightcured, nanofilled, radiopaque composite for anterior and posterior use
CLEARFIL MAJESTY Esthetic
- “Great composite for all-around use.”
- “With CLEARFIL SE PROTECT and CLEARFIL MAJESTY Esthetic, I never see a white line at the margin.”
- “No post-op sensitivity.”
Top Provisional Material
Luxatemp Ultra
DMG America
Luxatemp Ultra advances the Luxatemp provisional material line, providing enhanced strength. It is a self-cured composite for the fabrication of temporary crowns and bridges, inlays, onlays and veneers.
Luxatemp Ultra
- “Nice esthetics and shade selection”
- “Great material.”
- “Luxatemp Ultra polishes to a high luster.”
- “Sets up pretty quick compared to other products.”
Top RMGI Restorative
Ketac™ Nano Light Curing Glass Ionomer Restorative
3M ESPE
Ketac™ Nano Light-Curing Glass Ionomer Restorative is a resin-modifi ed glass
ionomer in a paste/paste formulation.
Ketac™ Nano Light Curing Glass Ionomer Restorative
- “No trituration required - consistent mixes, great viscosity.”
- “Final restorations had a good color match, better than other resin-modifi ed glass
- “Quick Mix Capsule is an excellent delivery system.”
- “Adaptability to preparation and handling were more diffi cult than resin composite.”
- “Tacky – sticks to instruments - wetting instrument with primer helps.”
- “Provide more primer in the kit.”
Top Sectional Matrix System
Composi-Tight 3D Sectional Matrix System
Garrison Dental Solutions
Composi-Tight 3D Sectional Matrix System is a ring and matrix system
designed to create tight, anatomical contacts on Class II composite restorations.
Composi-Tight 3D Sectional Matrix System
- “I had good results once the rings were placed.”
- “Good fit around buccal and lingual sides.”
- “Excellent margin adaptation - little flash so little interproximal finishing required!”
- “Wedge Wands had good contours and the selection was excellent.”
- “Rings pop-off - challenging to place, especially when restoring a molar/premolar contact with interproximal width discrepancies.”
- “The matrix material easily distorts.”
Top Self-adhesive Resin Cement
RelyX Unicem 2 Automix Self-Adhesive Resin Cement
3M ESPE
3M ESPE RelyX™ Unicem 2 Automix Self-Adhesive Resin Cement is a dual-cured, self-adhesive resin cement.
RelyX Unicem 2 Automix Self-Adhesive Resin Cement
- “My favorite features were ease of use, consistent mixing, and less assistant time.”
- “Easy to dispense and clean up.”
- “Variety of tips is helpful.”
- “Convenient storage - no refrigeration required.”
- “Little or no sensitivity during the cementation procedure.”
- “Hard to clean up after fi nal setting.”
Top Soft Tissue Laser
NV Microlaser
Philips Oral Healthcare
NV Microlaser is a cordless diode laser designed to deliver laser energy in either a
continuous wave or pulsed mode.
NV Microlaser
- “The unit is cordless.”
- “Easy to set up and use.”
- “The tips are disposable.”
- “Protective eyewear is comfortable.”
- “The pre-set settings are a little low in wattage.”
Top Temporary Cement
Temp-Bond NE
Kerr Corporation
Temp-Bond NE is a two-paste, non-eugenol temporary cement; therefore, it will not interfere with the setting of resin cements.
TempBond NE
- “Strong enough, yet easy to remove the temporary.”
- “A little sticky and hard to clean off instruments and soft tissue.”
- “Some consultants noted hardening of the base in the tube.”
Top Whitening System Product Award
BEYOND Polus Whitening Accelerator with BEYOND Treatment Kits
Beyond Dental & Health
BEYOND Polus Whitening Accelerator with BEYOND Treatment Kits is an in-office whitening system designed to whiten within three, 10-minute sessions.
BEYOND Polus Whitening Accelerator with BEYOND Treatment Kits
- “I have some patients who are very sensitive - having a gentle light output is great.”
- “Three, 10-minute rounds - the system is quick to use.”
- “This system produces the most consistent results. Every patient lightened at least three Vita shades.”
Top WOW Product
WAMkey
WAM
WAMkey is a crown-and-bridge-removal instrument. It is designed to be faster than cutting and splitting the crown and safe for patients. After cutting only a narrow slot into the buccal or lingual surface of the crown, WAMkey is inserted into the slot and rotated, breaking the cement seal and lifting the crown off of the abutment.
WAMkey
- “This product exceeded my expectations.”
- “Works well in most situations.”
- “A real time saver.”
