Consultants’ Comments

• “Shades were an excellent match.”
• “A good, simple-to-use system.”
• “I like the minimal packaging.”
• “The applicator brush heads are too large.”

Description

ALPHA II AP is an esthetic, light-cured, resin-based, micro-hybrid composite. The material is indicated for Class I-V restorations. It is filled 53% by volume with inorganic particles ranging in size from 0.02 – 2 microns. The radiopaque composite contains fluoride and may be light-cured in 2-mm increments with a 600 mW/cm2 light-curing unit. ALPHA II AP is available in 13 Vita shades (plus four opaque and one incisal shade) and is packaged in 4.5-g syringes or unit-dose capsules. There are three composite syringes, 4 g of ALPHA-ETCH37, 3 ml of ALPHA-BOND Adhesive, accessories and instructions in a syringe kit and 15, 0.30-g unit-dose capsules per unit-dose refill kit. ALPHA II AP was evaluated by 27 clinical consultants in 521 restorations. This product received a 92% clinical rating.

Product Features

ALPHA II AP is a good composite with excellent shade matching and blending with restored tooth after curing. Consultants reported that the composite polished to a nice finish and was a simple system to use. The minimal packaging is ideal for ecologically-conscious consultants. Consultants found the handling to be ideal. Several consultants noted that the material was sensitive to ambient light. The fluoride-release is a good feature and the unit-dose availability provides convenience. A majority of the consultants noted they preferred the unit-dose to syringe dispensing and some had difficulty dispensing the material from the syringe. Consultants recommended that the product name and shade be imprinted on each capsule for ease of identification. Seventy-two percent of consultants rated ALPHA II AP as equal to or better than the resin composite they were currently using, 55% would switch, and 55% would recommend ALPHA II AP to a colleague.

Clinical Tips

• Refrigerate ALPHA II AP for optimal use.
• Agitate the bonding liquid during application to get a solid, shiny surface.
• Bevel the cavosurface and feather-in the margins with a moist microbrush for great esthetics.