Inventory management is one of the more mundane, yet persistent challenges surrounding restoration. With shade matching to the correct Vita Classical colour requiring time, experience, storage, and additional cost – as you have to stock multiple composite shades for accurate matches. Filtek Easy Match, however, reduces the 19 Vida Classical shades down to just three simplified tones, transforming demanding inventory management into something much easier.
More than just inventory management, Filtek Easy Match tackles procedure efficiency, gloss, resilience, and more! To help you quickly get up to speed on the ins and outs of this unique restorative, we’ve briefly broken down what Filtek Easy Match is, what makes it special, and some case studies on its use.
If you’re looking to compare restoration materials and consider your choice before purchase, we’ve written several articles about excellent composites and their alternatives. Some examples include posts about 3M™ Filtek™ Supreme and Filtek™ Universal restorative, the Universal Series. Another two examples would be the Simplishade Bulk Fill, a product which similarly simplifies the shade-matching process and application process, but with significant differences, and the SDI Stela, an amalgam alternative. If you’re looking for advice on universal restoratives, we have advice on flowable universal restoratives and more in our news section.
What is 3M™ Filtek™ Easy Match?
Filtek Easy Match is a restorative which is universally indicated and covers all 19 VITA shades with just three shades; Bright, Natural and Warm. One of the means of achieving this is through balancing ‘Chroma’ and ‘Value’. Chroma is the term used for colour intensity, and Value is the term used for relative shade, darkness or lightness. The three shades of Filtek Easy Match ‘Bright’, ‘Natural’, and ‘Warm’ each have different balances of Chroma and Value, which helps them to provide quick and easy shade matches, without sacrificing opacity.
“Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative simplifies shade matching and allows very aesthetic restorations in a more streamlined approach.” – Dr. Augusto Robles Anniston, AL, US
Filtek Easy Match also uses the 3M ‘TRUE Nanofiller’ technology to provide excellent wear resistance and gloss. This is achieved through creating unique nanoclusters which strengthen the restorative and allow for long-lasting gloss.
In addition, Filtek Easy Match has an adaptive opacity. Other composites, when thinly applied, may be translucent, leading to a potentially unwanted aesthetic outcome. While Filtek Easy Match is adaptive, meaning that even at thin layers of application, opacity is high, helping it to blend in with the surrounding tooth structure.
What Makes Filtek Easy Match Special?
We’ve made a list of six reasons why you should consider Filtek Easy Match when choosing the right composite for you.
1. Safe for composite warming and injection moulding
Composite warming can improve adaptation, among other advantages. The possibility for Injection moulding also opens up new avenues for treatment, making Filtek Easy Match a versatile restorative.
2. Easier shade selection, Reduced Inventory Stress
Having only three shades (warm, natural, and bright) means inventory management is significantly improved from having to store up to 19 shades of composite. Additionally, this reduced inventory stress also doesn’t come at the cost of having a desired aesthetic outcome, as the three colours of Filtek Easy Match are intuitive to match, and blend very well. To choose the correct shade match, simply compare the patients’ teeth with one of the three Filtek Easy Match options and choose the one you believe to be most appropriate.
3. Firm Handling, Warm to Soften
For accurate, simple application, Filtek Easy Match is not primarily flowable or creamy in its texture, but firm. If you are looking to make this restorative easier to extrude, you can simply heat it and make it more flowable.
4. Excellent strength, Wear resistance, and Polish Retention
Filtek Easy Match is durable and strong thanks to its TRUE Nanofiller technology, which is the same as used in 3M™ Filtek™ Dental Restoratives.
5. Universally indicated
Filtek Easy Match is indicated for use in posterior and anterior single-shade restorations. Giving you a lot more freedom with how you use this restorative.
6. Blocker-Free, naturally adaptive opacity
As previously stated, the opacity of Filtek Easy Match is adaptive, meaning that at thicknesses of 0.5 to 1mm, it takes on an Enamel-like translucency. This thickness is range exactly where you need it for the bevel and incisal edge. In thicknesses under 2 mm everywhere else, it delivers a Dentin-like opacity. Allowing for easy, seamless blending.
“Filtek Easy Match Universal Restorative is derived from our clinically and academically proven leading nano filled 3M™ Filtek™ Dental Restoratives. Solventum’s proprietary use of nanofillers, pigments and opaquer harmonize to create a balanced opacity which, when applied to the Bright, Natural and Warm shades, create a pronounced blending effect with surrounding tooth structures. Naturally-adaptive opacity ensures that an Enamel-like translucency is achieved in clinically relevant thicknesses of 0.5–1 mm, on the bevelled margin and on the incisal edge of anterior restorations. Research conducted by Solventum as well as at the University of Texas shows pronounced blending abilities with balanced opacity, eliminating the need for an additional blocker. In cases of dentin discoloration, a dedicated opaquer may be used for masking”
- 3M™ Filtek™ Easy Match Universal Restorative, Frequently Asked Questions
Citations & Links
Filtek Easy Match Capsules FAQ (3m.com)
3M™ Filtek™ Easy Match Universal Restorative | 3M United States
FEM brochure (3m.com)
