The recent launch of Ivoclar's Adhese Universal adds to the growing category of materials known as "Universal Adhesives". In general when I hear the word universal I assume it is a product that can Read More
Direct Composite for Repairing Worn Incisal Edges
It is routine to see patients with lower incisal edges that are worn into the dentin. The wear can be from attrition or from erosion, and is often a combination of the two. When dentin is exposed and Read More
Improved Anterior Esthetics Using Microfill Composite
Often when I lecture on composite dentistry I get asked about improving the final surface texture, polish and sculptability when doing anterior teeth. In a previous blog I looked at the categories of Read More
Learning The Color Properties of Your Composite
Earlier posts have discussed the difference in light and color properties between natural tooth structure (enamel & dentin) and their corresponding composite replacements. The difference in Read More
Making Sense of Types of Composite
All composite materials are a mix of organic resin matrix, filler particles and a coupling agent. The challenges we experience with composites like consistency and stickiness as well as Read More
Composite Veneer Layering
One of the techniques we master when doing indirect restorations is matching the tooth reduction to the thickness of the layers of ceramic the technician needs to give us our final requested Read More
Color Instability of Composite
A common question that I get from patients is how long it will take for the color of a new composite filling to change. The answer to this has changed over time as our materials have evolved. Modern Read More
The Magical Brownie Point
I have spent the last two days at the ADA Annual Session teaching on topics from occlusion to provisionals. One conversation kept coming up over and over, so I thought it is a perfect topic for a Read More
Composite Occlusal Contacts
In yesterday's post I discussed the factors that impact wear resistance in modern composite materials. The great news is that we only have to think about the wear resistance of composite in areas of Read More
Composites & Wear
This week I have been preparing for a lecture at the USC Restorative Symposium called "Occlusal Considerations of Modern Composites". I have been using direct composite as a restorative material and Read More