5 years of perfect dental aesthetics

There is an ever-growing awareness of the importance of healthy and also attractive-looking teeth. Today, for many people, dental aesthetics are integral to a good quality of life.

An increasing number of patients thus want non-visible, natural-looking high-end restorations, particularly in the anterior region. This trend goes hand-in-hand with a rise in demand for high-performance restoration materials. Such materials are not only expected to boast impressive physical properties but also, and in particular, outstanding handling. Amaris, which was presented by VOCO at IDS 2007, is a composite with an innovative shade system which was specially developed for highly aesthetic restorations. This product ensures incredibly simple and convenient shade management for all users, whereby only a few shades are required. Over the past five years, Amaris has won numerous awards, including from the renowned US testing institute, “The Dental Advisor”, due, in particular, to its shade concept.

11 shades instead of 33

Together, dentine and enamel define the overall appearance of the tooth. The Amaris shade system is also based on this natural principle. The most varied forms, shades and surfaces can be modelled quickly using a two-layer technique requiring just a base shade (Opaque) and an enamel shade (Translucent). Compared to other systems with more than 20 or, indeed, 30 shades, the Amaris system is made up of just 11 shades: Six base shades (O1, O2, O3, O4, O5, O Bleach), three enamel shades (Neutral, TN; Light, TL; Dark, TD) and two individual shades (Amaris Flow High Translucent, HT; Amaris Flow High Opaque, HO). The base and enamel shades can be combined in a variety of ways and thus ensure a high degree of flexibility when producing shades. The optional individual shades, Amaris Flow HT (High Translucent) and Amaris Flow HO (High Opaque), also allow further individual structures and special accents to be realised. HT is ideal, for example, for creating highly translucent incisal edges and HO for covering discoloured areas.

Simple shade management

The core is firstly built up using an opaque base shade. A covering layer of translucent enamel shade is then applied; with an optimal shade appearance, Amaris Translucent Neutral (TN) is used. If the shade appears to be too light, the covering layer is darkened using Amaris Translucent Dark (TD). If the shade appears too dark, Amaris Translucent Light (TL) is used. The final tooth shade can thus be achieved during layering; corrections, however, are still possible during restoration. To this end, any layers which were applied beforehand do not have to be removed. Despite their relative small number compared to other systems, the many possible combinations of the base and enamel shades included with this product enable the entire dentally relevant shade spectrum to be covered. This means that even the finest of nuances can be produced for successful restorations every time.

Natural teeth as the yardstick

The developers of Amaris were committed to achieving the closest possible alignment to the natural tooth. Dr Reinhard Maletz, Head of the Research and Development Department notes: "The Amaris concept is based on natural layering and shading and not on pre-set industrial standards. With Amaris, seamless shade transitions and harmonious adaptation to the surrounding dental hard tissue can be realised. The interplay between opacity and translucence in restorations produced using Amaris is based on natural teeth and thus an outstanding degree of light dynamics and fluorescence is guaranteed. Consequently they cannot be distinguished from natural teeth."

Excellent physical parameters

Amaris also has excellent physical properties. The material has a high filler content (80% by weight) with just minimal polymerisation shrinkage (2.0% by volume). With its high surface hardness (99 MHV) and compressive strength (375 MPa), its great flexural strength (120 MPa) and diametral tensile strength (51 MPa) as well as its outstanding abrasion resistance (48 um, 3-media abrasion) and low degree of water solubility (< 1 ug/mm3), Amaris is a guarantee for permanently stable restorations. Primarily conceived for the anterior region, thanks to its physical properties it is also suitable for the posterior region. Amaris can be used for a wide range of applications. The indications include aesthetic anterior region restorations of Classes III, IV and V, aesthetic posterior region restoration of Classes I, II and V, the reconstruction of traumatically damaged anterior teeth, direct and indirect composite veneers, the veneering of discoloured anterior teeth, form and shade corrections to improve aesthetics, the repair of highly aesthetic ceramic (e.g., facet repairs) as well as the splinting of anterior teeth.

Optimal handling properties

In addition to its innovative shade system, Amaris also impresses with its optimal handling properties. The material has a non-sticky, silky consistency and can be easily adapted and sculpted. Amaris allows very thin layers to be applied and finished, which means that even the finest of incisal edges can be created. The ambient and surgical light resistance of up to five minutes provides sufficient time for working, however, depending on the shade and layer thickness, the curing times range between just ten and forty seconds. Given its intelligent material composition, Amaris can be easily polished which, in turn, means a great and durable shine is ensured. The material can be used universally with all dentine adhesives.

Commercial forms with introductory set

Amaris is available in a variety of commercial forms, e.g., in sets and refills with syringes and caps. VOCO offers an introductory set to allow consumers to get to know this intelligent shade system. This set features four caps in the opaque shades O1, O2, O3, O4, O5 and in the translucent shades Light (TL), Neutral (TN) and Dark (TD). The set additionally comprises two syringes with the individual shades HT and HO as well as the Amaris shade guide. Amaris can be ideally combined with Amaris Gingiva, the highly aesthetic restorative material in gingival shades. As such, perfect results can be achieved where red-white aesthetics are indicated.