Therma-Flo - Science of Heat
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SCIENTIFIC DATA Composite Heating Articles Summary Past major issues with composite restorations have included: a. Reducing the curing (polymerization) time b. Increasing the depth of cure c. Increasing the conversion (polymerization) ratio 1. Bortolotto and Krejci: The effect of temperature on hardness of a light-curing composite. J Dent Res. 2003;82 (special issue A). Abstract 0119. a. The restorations inserted with the composite prewarmed to 40C (104F) were significantly harder on the Vicker’s scale than the composite restorations inserted at room temperature (22C) b. The hardness values at 40C compared with those where the composite was 5C (approximate temp of a commercial refrigerator) were approximately double c. Curing time for a layer of composite at room temperature could be reduced to half when it was warmed to 40C without affecting its hardness properties d. Therefore, prewarming a restorative composite to a temperature slightly greater than 37C can improve the depth of cure of the material and reduce the curing time by 50% 2. Trujillo and Stansbury: Thermal effects in composite photopolymerization monitored by real-time NIR. J Dent Res. 2003; 82 (special issue A). Abstract 0819. a. A higher conversion ratio (double-bond formation or polymerization) at a greater depth increases the material modulus, resulting in less flexure and less potential for restoration fracture under loading. b. This was true for microfill, hybrid, and packable composites cured by LED, halogen, or plasma arc at two different temperatures (23C/73F and 54.5C/130F) The curing time required to achieve similar conversion ratios could be decreased by 50-80% when the temperature of the composite was elevated from 23C to 54.5C Therefore, prewarming a restorative composite to a temperature greater than 37C can improve the conversion rate of the material, with a concomitant improvement in the fracture resistance, and reduce curing time by 50% or more call toll free 1.877.418.4782

3. Holmes et al: Composite film thickness at various temperatures. J Dent Res. 2004; 83 (special issue). Abstract 3265. a. When the filling material was at body temperature, the next 20C of warmth did not reduce the curing time significantly. At 58C/136F another major advance in the conversion ratio remained constant for the next 10C. b. c. d. e. f. g. This indicates that the ideal warming of a composite should be either 37C or 58C The ideal prewarming temperatures for a restorative composite are scientifically established, and most curing times for a prewarmed composite can be reduced to...

Composite Heating Study Data Color stability, opacity and degree of conversion of pre-heated composites. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21163324 Mundim FM, Garcia Lda F, Cruvinel DR, Lima FA, Bachmann L, Pires-de-Souza Fde C. J Dent. 2011 Jul;39 Suppl 1:e25-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2010.12.001. Epub 2010 Dec 14. Effect of pre-heating on depth of cure and surface hardness of light-polymerized resin composites. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18795516 Muñoz CA, Bond PR, Sy-Muñoz J, Tan D, Peterson J.; Am J Dent. 2008 Aug;21(4):215-22. Effect of pre-heating on the viscosity and...

Easy touch controls for automated delivery of composite material Heats at the tip to keep material WARM for optimal flow of composite Both units include our new Step Down Tips Extended tip length = deeper access for precision placement Therma-Flo Revolutionizing Composite Delivery with Heat! Warming Kit Applicator Therma-Flo™ is a line of products uniquely engineered to utilize heat to optimize performance of virtually any composite material. The patented Composite Applicator™ with automated delivery and the Composite Warming Kit provide unmatched versatility to enhance restorations by...