Consultants’ Comments

• “Good product for those hard-to-place restorations.”
• “A nice way to handle ceramic inlays during HF etching and silanization.”
• “It’s a safer and more secure transfer in the maxillary posterior compared to using my fingers.”
• “Works surprisingly well.”
• “I like to keep things simple; the extra steps are somewhat cumbersome.”
• “Occasionally the adhesive would dislodge from the ceramic surface.”

Description

ThermaGrip is a placement system for indirect restorations. The system includes a heating unit, adhesive pellets and bendable brushes. The lightweight, portable heating unit is used to soften an adhesive pellet and transfer it to the restoration. The end-tufted brush is then submerged into the heated adhesive, creating a handle on the restoration. After the restoration is placed in the mouth, the adhesive is removed by pulling on the handle. The adhesive and brush are designed to release cleanly, leaving no residue on the restoration. The primary use of the ThermaGrip is to increase the efficiency of placing inlays, onlays and veneers. The ThermaGrip system includes the heating unit, three AA batteries, a cassette with adhesive pellets, and a package of microbrushes. ThermaGrip was evaluated by 10 consultants in over 100 clinical cases and received an 82% clinical rating.

Product Features

ThermaGrip allows clinicians to handle small restorations during the insertion phase of treatment. The system effectively allows placement of these restorations without any unwanted contact to the internal ceramic or metal surface. ThermaGrip provides a firm attachment to the brush and releases without leaving any residue on the restoration. The adhesive quality of ThermaGrip to the restoration is good. Overall, any efficiency gained in the procedure is in the placement of the restoration in the mouth rather than in the setup of the adhesive and handle onto the restoration. Thirty percent of evaluators reported they would use ThermaGrip in place of their current transfer method, 40% rated ThermaGrip as better than their current method, and 60% would recommend it to a colleague.

Clinical Tips

• Establish the bend and orientation of the brush before adhering it to the restoration.
• Gently bend the heating tip up to 45¬∞ for easier handling.