Review of Fusio™ Liquid Dentin from Pentron

One of the most neglected areas of dentistry is composites and how we cure them. Many dentists think composite is composite and curing a composite means turning on the curing light. Composite technology is constantly changing along with the lights that cure them.

One example of new composite technology is Fusio Liquid Dentin from Pentron Clinical Technologies. Fusio is a 4-META self-adhesive flowable composite, which means that you don't need to etch or apply bonding agent to the tooth surface. A low pH and being hydrophilic allows the carboxylic acid groups of the methacrylate monomers to bond to the mineral ions in the tooth structure.

Fusio is a great product to use as a base under any restorative whether it is composite or amalgam. When used under amalgam you get a true sealing of the dentin. You can place a Fusio base under a composite but will need to condition the dentin or enamel above the Fusio prior to placing your final restorative material.

Besides using Fusio for a base, it can also be used as a sealant or as a small Class I restoration. Another fabulous use for Fusio is to seal the pulp chamber of endodontically treated teeth, as shown in the photos above. Sealing of the pulp chamber enhances the success of endodontically treated teeth in the event of premature loss of the temporary restoration.

In order to polymerize the composite, the use of a good curing light is essential. The halogen curing light has been the backbone of composite curing for years.  That is starting to change with the increased efficiency of LED (light emitting diode) curing lights. The reason LED light sources are used is because they have a wavelength (460-490um), which is perfect for curing composites. The reason is that the photoinitiator in composites (camphorquinone) is activated at a wavelength of 470um. The LED lights in many cases have higher light output with less heat generated then halogen lights. Many of us still have some old Demetron halogen curing lights in our office. The new Kerr Demi LED curing light has a maximum output of 1330 mw/cm² which allows for a 5 second cure. The unit is a wand style light with two rechargeable batteries. It has variable curing timers and a quiet fan to keep the unit from over heating and shutting down if you need to cure a quadrant of composites.The best part about the Demi LED is all those light guides you have for the Demetron halogen units will fit the Demi.

So composite technology keeps moving ahead. Check your current curing light output on a radiometer to ensure proper curing of all composites. Try some of these new technologies and see if they can improve your composite placement.