No-flow flowables for ‘Beautifil’ restorations

Imagine, if you will, a material that is a base, liner and restorative all in one tube.

Shofu has developed just such a product: Beautifil Flow Plus. This new flowable resin is a sculptable, non-flowing resin available in two formulations: F00 and F03. Those designations mean that it flowed zero millimeters when an amount was placed on a pad and held vertically for one minute. Similarly, the F03 flowed only 3 mm during one minute. Both formulations contain the proprietary GIOMER chemistry and S-PRG fillers, which release and recharge fluoride like a glass ionomer.

The GIOMER chemistry is important. GIOMERS have an anti-plaque effect by providing a smoother surface when photo-cured. Furthermore, they aid in the reinforcement of tooth structure by forming an acid-resistant layer as well as helping to remineralize dentin. Recently, the ADA published the results of an eight-year GIOMER study, done at the University of Gainesville in Florida, that showed no secondary caries, no restorative failures, no post-op sensitivity and a 95 percent retention of luster on the restoration.

Beautifil Flow Plus stays where it is placed and does not require a more traditional composite resin to be placed on top to complete the restoration as some bulk fills do. It is approved for all cavity preparation classification. There are nine shades for F00, including an opaque, incisal and bleach white. For F03, there are 12 shades, including a unique A0.5, “milky” and cervical shade. Once photo-cured, the materials are about 95 percent finished and polished, and a very high gloss can be achieved using the One Gloss and Super Snap Singles polishing systems (Shofu).

As you will see in the cases that follow, Beautifil Flow Plus is a very useful product that allows us to emphasize our artistic ability in the art and science of dentistry.

Case I

The patient is a 33-year-old male who had neglected his dental hygiene for several years and had a history of chewing gum and parking it in his cheek when on the telephone or focusing on his work. He presented with several areas of severe cervical erosion. These were successfully restored using a #35 inverted cone carbide and SmartBur II # 4 round (both SS White) and then BeautiBond and Beautifil Flow Plus F03 A03 opaque shade and then F00 shade A3.

Case II

The patient is a 63-year-old male with a history of sucking on lemons. The upper right cuspid enamel had been eroded, and the patient had mild sensitivity. The canine was restored using a #34 inverted cone bur (SS White), and the restoration was performed with Beautibond and Beautifil Flow Plus F00 shade A30 Opaque and A3.

Case III

The patient is a 42-year-old male who fractured the upper right central incisor opening a package. The tooth was restored using a Fissurotomy bur (SS White) to create the enamel bevels and BeautiBond and Beautifil Flow Plus F00 A2.