The event also showcased the world’s first Glass Hybrid restorative system, marketed as GC Equia Forte.
Two years ago, at the 46th meeting of the CED-IADR in Florence, delegates were highly impressed by the interim results of studies in Germany and Turkey that evaluated the strength and durability of Equia. Both of those studies are now two years further advanced and the latest results, presented at this year’s meeting, affirm Equia’s reputation even further. GC believes that these findings will reinforce the changing perception of glass ionomer cements and their indications for use, but that is not the end of the good news. Even before the ink was dry on these studies, GC was unveiling a new generation of GIC called Glass Hybrids that takes the technology even further. Equia Forte, the first GIC to use hybrid glass fillers, was introduced in March 2015, so this year’s CED-IADR meeting was the first opportunities to present some scientific research data to the world.
Symposium: Restorative glass ionomers – journey from intermediate to permanent restorations
GC Europe supported the symposium, which was moderated by Professor Reinhard Hickel, chair and dean of the dental school at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. The symposium included three speakers:
- Thomas Klinke,Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, Germany.
Thomas Klinke and his team presented the results of their four year double-blind, randomised field trial in Germany into the clinical performance of two glass ionomer systems in Class I and II cavities. The study compares the performance of Equia (consisting of the Equia Fil glass ionomer component and Equia Coat nano-filled composite coating) against that of Fuji IX GP Fast (GC) in combination with a light-curing coating (Fuji Coat LC, GC). In the study, the group began by placing 515 fillings with Equia and 486 with Fuji IX GP Fast. Aesthetic, functional, biological and other parameters were then monitored.
Two years ago at the Florence meeting, Thomas presented the 24 month results from the study. This year he updated delegates on the study’s findings at 48 months, key among them being that while both materials continue to perform convincingly in Class I cavities, the Equia restorative system is clearly superior in Class IIs, when used as per manufacturer’s recommendations. These findings support GC’s recommendation that Equia be used for Class I restorations, non-stress-bearing Class IIs and occlusally-loaded Class IIs, assuming that the isthmus occupies less than half of the intercuspal space.
- Professor Sevil Gürgan, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Professor Gürgan, a member of the Hacettepe University’s Faculty of Dentistry for 30 years and the president of this year’s CED-IADR congress, presented the six year clinical study results that compared Equia with a composite resin (Gradia Direct, GC) in posterior cavities.
In Florence two years, ago, Professor Gürgan reported that after 48 months of evaluation, the retention rate for Equia was 100 per cent for Class I restorations and 92.3 per cent for Class IIs. No significant differences between Equia and the composite fillings were found to that point in the study.
This time around she presented her six year data where 115 (70 Cl1 and 45 Cl2) restorations were evaluated in 47 patients with a recall rate of 79.6 per cent at six years. Significant differences were found in marginal adaptation and marginal discoloration for both restorative materials for Cl1 and Cl2 restorations (p<0.05). only="" 1="" cl2,="" equia="" restoration="" was="" missing="" at="" three="" years="" and="" another="" one="" at="" four="" years.="" no="" failures="" were="" observed="" at="" five="" and="" six="" year="" controls.="" it="" was="" concluded="" that="" both="" materials="" (gradia="" and="" equia)="" exhibited="" a="" similar="" and="" clinically="" successful="" performance="" after="" six="">
- Falk Schwendicke, Center for Dental, Oral and Maxillary Medicine, Charité University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
GC’s newest glass ionomer cement was developed in response to reports from clinicians that despite the proven overall performance of Equia, they were getting some failures in large Class II fillings. GC tasked its R&D team with making a new generation of glass ionomer cement with improved physical properties, improved handling and wider indications for use in Class IIs and yet retaining all the positive features of Equia. The result was Equia Forte, the first glass ionomer restorative system to use the Glass Hybrids. Falk Schwendicke introduced this new technology to delegates at the Antalya symposium.
Falk showed results of the in-vitro studies that he and his group did on Equia Forte. One of the key findings he shared was the remineralisation potential of Equia Forte. This data complemented with the superior physical properties and superior handling, clearly makes it one of the most pulp friendly and probably the strongest material in its class, making it suitable as a bulk fill restorative material. .
What is Glass Hybrid technology and how does it make Equia Forte unique?
In Glass Hybrid technology, an ultrafine and highly reactive glass (<4µm) is="" dispersed="" within="" the="" glass="" ionomer="" fillers=""><25µm) in="" equia="" forte="" fil="" to="" accelerate="" and="" enhance="" matrix="" formation="" after="" mixing.="" this="" increases="" the="" ion="" availability="" and="" builds="" a="" much="" stronger="" matrix="" structure="" with="" greater="" physical="" properties,="" wear="" resistance="" and="" fluoride="">
On a practical level, Equia Forte is easy to place and the procedure is very quick: Prepare, bulk-fill, finish, coat and light-cure. There is no need for conditioning or bonding, it is moisture tolerant and bonds equally well to all surfaces regardless of the age of the teeth, and sets with almost no stress or shrinkage, even in deep cavities. A single thin layer of translucent and highly aesthetic Equia Forte Coat completes the restoration. Equia Forte Coat features new cross-linking monomer chemistry and GC’s patented mono-dispersion nano-filler technology. It creates a highly wear-resistant, self-adhesive laminate with a smooth, sealed surface that has remarkable strength and impressive wear resistance.
GC believe the impressive aesthetics and durability of Equia Forte make it a genuine option for dentists undertaking posterior restorations.
For more information on Equia and Equia Forte, visit www.gceurope.com