Search Dental Tribune

Nano-hybrid composites rank high in clinical study

Venus Diamond composite is available since 2010 and has received very satisfying evaluations in different studies. (DTI/Photo courtesy of Amanda Seay, DDS)

Fri. 30 March 2012

save

SOUTH BEND, Ind., USA: As reported by the dental manufacturer Heraeus USA, its composite Venus Diamond and Tetric EvoCeram (Ivoclar Vivadent) have achieved equally satisfying results in a new study conducted by German researchers. In the study, almost 98 percent of the tooth restorations done with these composite materials were rated as either excellent or acceptable by independent dentists.

The 18-month in vivo clinical study was conducted by researchers at the Dental School of the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Germany. They compared the clinical efficacy of Heraeus' Venus Diamond composite (VD) in posterior direct composite restorations with that of Ivoclar Vivadent's Tetric EvoCeram composite (TE).

In the study, three dentists placed 48 VD and 50 TE restorations in Class I and II cavities in 71 patients.

Two independent dentists conducted a clinical assessment before and one and a half years after treatment in terms of 12 criteria, such as surface texture, color match, restoration integrity, occlusion, sensitivity, postoperative symptoms and patient compliance.

According to Heraeus, 97.8 percent of the VD and 97.1 percent of the TE restorations were rated as clinically excellent or acceptable.

The dentists rated 46 VD and 34 TE restorations according to each criterion on a scale ranging from "Alpha" (excellent) to "Delta." According to Heraeus, VD achieved mainly Alpha scores and no Charlie or Delta scores.

Statistical tests revealed no significant difference between VD and TE concerning failure rates. One VD and one TE restoration had to be replaced before the 18-month recall. All teeth were sensitive and none of the patients reported postoperative symptoms. VD displayed a significantly better surface texture compared with TE.

"Up to 18 months, the clinical performance of Venus Diamond and Tetric EvoCeram exhibit excellent results," said Professor Jürgen Manhart, who is a restorative material expert and who presented the clinical findings in September 2011 to the 45th congress of the Continental European Division of the International Association for Dental Research in Hungary.

According to the manufacturer, VD is a nano-hybrid universal composite that has low shrinkage stress and strength properties and can adapt easily to the color of the tooth. The material is produced using a special diamond formula, which is based upon silica nanoparticles. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted on VD in recent years in North America, Asia and Europe, with satisfying results overall.

Heraeus is a precious metals and technology group with its headquarters in Hanau, Germany. The global private company produces biomaterials and medical products, among others.

To post a reply please login or register
advertisement
advertisement