Consultant’s Comments

• “Excellent esthetics and strength after four years.”
• “No staining around margins after four years in areas were discoloration is typically seen.”
• “No debonds in any of the teeth restored with G-aenial Universal Flo.”

Description

G-aenial Universal Flo is a universal light-cured composite with a flowable viscosity. Unlike other flowable composites that have limited indications, G-aenial Universal Flo is indicated as a direct restorative for Class I, II, III, IV, and V cavities. It may also be used as a pit and fissure sealant, for sealing hypersensitive areas, for the repair of direct esthetic restorations, as a temporary crown and bridge material, for blocking out undercuts, and as a liner or base. G-aenial Universal Flo is filled 69% (by weight) with 200 nm strontium glass particles and does not contain bis-GMA. This composite has a “low-flow” viscosity and is syringe-delivered through a unique twist-on dispensing tip. Shades include A1, A2, A3, A3.5, A4, B1, B2, B3, C3, AO2, AO3, BW, CV, JE, and AE. G-aenial Universal Flo is available in 3.4 g syringes with 10 dispensing tips. Consultants evaluated shades A1, A2, A3, B1, and CV.

Clinical Evaluation Protocol

• 133 G-aenial Universal Flo restorations were placed over a seven-month period.
• 60 restorations in 27 patients were available for evaluation of clinical performance at three to four and one-half years after placement.
• Class I-IV restorations were placed in the anterior and posterior regions and recalled (Figures 1 and 2).
• Restorations were evaluated on a 1-5 rating scale: ww1 = poor, 2 = fair, 3 = good, 4 = very good, 5 = excellent.

Clinical Observations

Resistance to Fracture/Chipping

After four years in service, G-aenial Universal Flo demonstrated excellent resistance to fracture and chipping (Figure 3). Three anterior restorations fractured and were replaced. Four additional restorations chipped and required repair or smoothing. The remaining 53 restorations were in excellent condition.

Esthetics

The esthetics of 88% of the G-aenial Universal Flo restorations recalled at four years maintained the optimal esthetics reported at placement in both the anterior and posterior regions (Figure 3). The esthetics of the remaining 12% was compromised by fracture/chipping.

Resistance to Marginal Discoloration

All of the G-aenial Universal Flo restorations were placed using self-etching bonding agents, of which 82% were G-aenial Bond. Of the 57 restorations remaining after four years, all demonstrated excellent resistance to marginal discoloration (Figure 3).

Wear Resistance

Nearly all restorations demonstrated excellent resistance to wear in both the anterior and posterior regions (Figure 3).

Lack of Sensitivity

Little to no sensitivity (Figure 3) was reported by patients in the teeth restored with G-aenial Universal Flo.

Summary

Sixty G-aenial Universal Flo restorations in 27 patients were recalled after four years. Three restorations fractured, and four had chipped. Retention was 100%. No marginal discoloration in the intact restorations was reported. After four years in service, the esthetics and resistance to wear remained excellent. G-aenial Universal Flo received a clinical performance rating of 97% at four years.