Fred Berk, Vice President of Pulpdent, answers some frequently asked questions about ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE and why it is set to revolutionize restorative dentistry.
Click here to read ACTIVA BioACTIVE FAQ – Part 1
How do ACTIVA and bioactive materials differ from passive materials?
Bioactive materials are moisture-friendly and have the ability to transport or store water, which is an essential requirement of bioactivity, because biochemistry only occurs in the presence of water. Bioactive materials can play a dynamic role in the mouth and respond to pH changes in the oral environment. They release and recharge their ionic components, providing teeth with the essential minerals they need to stay healthy. This makes them completely different from passive materials, such as traditional composites, which are hydrophobic, repel water, do not stimulate remineralization, and have no capacity for bioactivity. Traditional materials are designed to be neutral and do no harm, and as a result, they do not provide any benefits other than filling a space for function and esthetic purposes.
Why should a dentist switch to ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE?
We are in the age of biomaterials. Dentists want to do what is best for their patients and their practice. Materials that mimic nature, behave favorably in the moist oral environment, neutralize conditions that cause dental caries, provide prevention benefits and maximize the potential for remineralization will become the standard of care. ACTIVA BioACTIVE materials are strong, esthetic and long-lasting, and offer a welcome alternative to traditional passive materials. In both public health and private practice, prevention is becoming the model for dental care, and ACTIVA BioACTIVE materials are ideally suited for this model.
How are ACTIVA and bioactive materials used clinically?
There are different categories of bioactive materials for various indications. Most are non-aesthetic materials used for endodontic purposes, as dentine replacement materials, or for cementation. These would include calcium-based materials, such as calcium hydroxide, calcium silicate (MTA) and calcium aluminate. ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE materials are the only aesthetic bioactive restorative materials. They are dispensed directly from the syringe like any flowable composite and can be used to restore all classes of cavities.
How does the dentist benefit from ACTIVA?
The greatest cost to a dentist is time. Materials represent only about 6 per cent of revenue in practice, and the cost of bioactive materials is comparable to passive materials. Meanwhile, the injection technique used with ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE takes a fraction of the time of placing a traditional composite. We are seeing cases that are more than four years old, and they look the same as they did the day they were placed. Dentists have observed that ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE has an affinity for tooth structure and “appears to melt into the tooth.” This penetration and intimate adaptation to tooth structure has never been seen before with an aesthetic restorative resin material. The result is improved marginal integrity and long-term outcomes, and that means happy patients.
References
http://www.dentalproductsreport.com/dental/article/close-look-how-pulpdent-s-activa-bioactive-material-was-created?page=0,1. Accessed 23 August 2017
http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/apex360/2017/04/activa-bioactive-the-story-behind-pulpdent-s-breakthrough-bioactive-restorative.html. Accessed 23 August 2017
About PULPDENT® Corporation
PULPDENT® Corporation is a family-owned dental research, manufacturing company and leader in bioactive dental materials. ACTIVA BioACTIVE™, developed by PULPDENT, is a bioactive restorative material that behaves much like natural teeth and stimulates the formation of apatite (the building blocks of teeth), chemically bonds to teeth and helps protect against decay. PULPDENT celebrates its 70th anniversary this year with continued commitment to product innovation, clinical education and patient-centered care. To stay updated on bioactivity and learn about the Heroic Dentistry Series, which demonstrates ACTIVA’s unprecedented capabilities, visit the Pulpdent blog.
