“The thing about handling when it comes to composite is that you just don’t want to have to think about it,” says Dr. Shea Bess, a full-time practicing dentist and country-wide dental lecturer. “It’s one of those things that you really don’t notice or consider until it’s a problem…and then it’s a big problem. The goal is for the composite you’re using to be so seamlessly workable that you don’t need extra products or tricks to get it to go where you want easily, stay put, not slump, not stick, not crumble, and not drag or pull. You shouldn’t have to worry about those things when you’re with your patient.”
When it comes to composite, Dr. Bess has quite a bit of experience. "I've used and tried a lot of different composites over the years. I think many companies find it tricky when it comes to getting the consistency and handling of a composite right. It can be very tricky and also, a matter of personal preference." He continues, "I personally do not like when a composite is soft and sticky and you have to buy wetting resin or, as we were taught in dental school, to dip your glove in bonding agent and then tap your instrument against the bonding agent so the composite won't stick. That's just adding another product to your process and adding bonding agent on the top layer of the composite puts the composite at risk."
He adds, "Now, even more than a sticky, too-soft composite, I really don't like when a composite is too firm and it's difficult to manipulate. It dries up and sometimes even crumbles. For me, my personal preference for a composite is a happy medium between those two extremes of soft and firm."
Dr. Bess says he finally found that in Ultradent's Mosaic universal composite, which he says, struck the perfect "happy medium,"—meaning it's non-sticky, workable, doesn't drag, slump, or dry up—"It's been a game-changer!"
It turns out, another renowned dentist we spoke to feels the same way.
Dr. Hal Stewart, a clinician and lecturer out of Dallas, Texas, says of Mosaic composite’s handling, “I’ve been placing direct composite for over 25 years. Ultradent’s Mosaic composite has excellent handling properties which makes it exceptional for placement in the esthetic zone. In addition to that, it’s accurate and the intuitive shade guide/matching system makes direct anterior restoration placement predictable and the esthetic results are exquisite. I use it every day in my practice.”
Dr. Shea Bess agrees with Dr. Stewart on Mosaic composite's intuitive shade matching as well, saying, "I love using Mosaic composite not only for its excellent handling, but also because for a dentist like me who isn't an artist, the shade system is simple, easy to follow, and when I've completed my restoration, you can't distinguish between the composite restoration and the rest of the tooth when they leave. They blend perfectly and the restoration is virtually undetectable." He adds, "The handling of Mosaic composite and its color matching system has brought my esthetic work to the next level. It's really been a game-changer. It's really nice to finish a composite and not have the patient be able to see it or pick it out when they leave. Before Mosaic composite came out, I had a hard time hiding my composite, and now it's easy. It's made handling and shade matching a no-stress, easy process for me."
To learn more, or to try out Mosaic composite for yourself, click here!