- Dr Nupur Shrirao, Editorial for April 2022 issue (Volume 5, Issue 4)
For years, it has been a goal to develop composite restorative materials that facilitate a more simplified, less technique-laden approach during clinical placement. The additional benefit of bioactivity of the material can be advantageous to the patient as well as the clinician in providing long lasting esthetic restorations. This, combined with its high polishability and shade-matching ability, makes Activa™ a high-quality restorative option for a variety of clinical applications.
Why Activa™ Pronto?
The manufacturer Pulpdent®, USA claims that Activa™ is hydrophilic (contains water but not bisphenol A or its derivatives), creating an ionic resin matrix that is receptive to a moisture-friendly environment which exists in the oral cavity (although Activa™ is not soluble). The material reportedly extracts fluoride, calcium, and phosphate ions from saliva and then releases these ions.
According to the manufacturer, other benefits of the restorative are an “intimate adaptation to tooth structure” and “exceptional marginal integrity.” This so-called smart material purportedly interacts with the constantly changing pH levels of the oral cavity to enhance and revitalize the physical properties of the tooth structure as well as the material itself (fracture resistance, durability, and toughness).
Activa™ can be characterized as a hybrid material because its physical qualities are comparable to those of traditional composite resins and its biologic properties are similar to those of glass ionomer systems. Due to its bioactive ionic matrix, Activa™ reportedly accomplishes polymerization from both light and chemical- curing processes.
Where can Activa™ Pronto be used?
Bioactive and highly esthetic Activa™ Pronto is slowly proving to be the obvious material of choice in a number of clinical situations because it is:
- universal
- stackable and shapeable
- strong and durable
- wear and fracture resistant
- releases and recharges calcium, phosphate and fluoride.
The key components of Activa™ products 1 are:
- Bioactive ionic resin is moisture tolerant with high release and recharge of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions.
- Rubberized resin is extremely tough and durable and mimics the physical properties of the tooth.
- Bioactive ionomer glass bonds to the tooth and has a high fluoride release. Hence, it has a wide array of indication right from simple caries management to the complex carious lesions involving multiple surfaces.
It is also indicated in cases where the isolation is compromised and in patients with high caries index due to its fluoride-releasing properties.
DentalReach readers personally experienced clinical situations where Activa™ Prontocan be used. Here are a few ---
---Class V cavities---
The delivery of quality resin restorations is a bit challenging in cervical lesions. The combination of comfortable tooth preparation, auxiliary retention forms, then placement of composite such as Activa™ Pronto that will help protect the gingival marginal seal, is an excellent approach to handling Class V composites in restorative practice.
Using a hydrophillic resin like Activa™ Pronto in subgingival restorations facillitates ionic interaction that binds resin to the minerals in the tooth, forming a strong resin-hydroxyappatite complex and a positive seal against microleakage.
Layering/incremental built up with bioactive filling materials such as Activa™ Pronto(rubberised resin) in Class V cavities very close to the pulp allows for fewer stresses to develop within the restoration, lesser shrinkage and long term marginal seal.
(Info credits: DR readers & practitioners Dr Sonal Yerpude 2, Dr Alpa Savla 3)
---Class III cavities---
Activa™ Pronto can be placed in a Class III cavity as:
- It is a caries prone area best replaced with mineral enriched bio-mimicking composite
- Ease of application + Moisture tolerance
- Ability to flex and does not chip inter-proximally
- Ability to avoid biofilm formation unlike regular composite
(Info credits: DR reader & practitioner Dr Urvashi Tanwar 4)
---Class IV cavities---
With Activa ™(Pulpdent ®, USA), we have the ability to treat the tooth from within and strengthen tooth structure by replacing the missing calcium and phosphate that is lost in the decay process. Activa ™ is the first esthetic restorative to not only give us fluoride release and recharge, but also calcium and phosphate, which are the building blocks of tooth structure. This brings strength to the restoration and allows to truly restore a tooth, which is what is required in Class IV cavities, and not just repair it temporarily.
(Info credits: DR reader & practitioner Dr Neha Momin 5)
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