Let’s go on to expand on Pillar number four: warm injection molding.

Before I explain what injection molding is, let me first say a few words about what it is NOT.

Because we express our composites out of syringes and trigger-type dispensers, many doctors think that they are already injection molding. I certainly did! But there is big difference between that and what I’m about to explain to you.

Injection molding in the Bioclear method is intended to produce a true monolithic composite that adapts to the tooth in a way simply not possible with usual techniques of layering and instrument manipulation. And when composite is truly monolithic, the properties of that composite are at its best. And that is what we want for our patients’ teeth.

In a compressive state, a monolithic composite can equal the compressive strength of even lithium disilicate.  Think about that!

The technique involves heating two kinds of composite: a low viscosity flowable composite from a syringe and a high viscosity paste composite from a compule.

The key is heating the composite to a temperature that allows the composite to exhibit thixotropic flow.

Thixotropic flow occurs when a composite is placed along some kind of backstop as it is expressed, resulting in a uniform spreading of the material while minimizing air pockets and turbulence. What you get is ideal movement of the composite into a prep or along a tooth surface. Micro CT analysis studies have proven superior adaptation using the Bioclear method injection molding process compared to layering techniques.

Proper injection molding requires some equipment and materials.

First, the equipment. The Bioclear Heat Sync unit is ideal for raising the temperature of the composite to a uniform 155º F. This poses no damage to a tooth since composite, as a material, is not a good conductor of heat, but this temperature is ideal for thixotropic flow. The heat sync unit contains receptacles for flowable composite syringes, as well as for compule dispensers, and a reservoir for keeping more compules to be heated and ready for any procedure.

The composite we recommend for heating is 3M’s Filtek Supreme Ultra Filtek One Restorative materials, because these composites are the only ones thoroughly tested and shown to not be altered in any way by heating. They have FDA clearance for heating and No other composites can claim that at this time. Not only do we know that 3M Filtek Supreme Ultra and Filtek One Restorative materials will maintain their properties upon repeated heating, 3M also conducted extensive safety and efficacy testing and a certified toxicologist verified their use is safe not only for the patients but also the doctor and the dental team.

It goes without saying, that since we want heated composite to thixotropically flow over more than just our small prep area as you learned earlier, you need clear Bioclear matrices to get the complete benefit of injection molding.

And what are those benefits?

How about nearly total and complete adaptation to the cavity preparation with few to zero air bubbles? Complete adaptation removes or greatly minimizes the issue of microleakage, especially since we are bonding to a 360 degree ring of infinity edge, bio blasted, acid etched enamel. This, together with Bioclear matrices, will give you an infinity edge that most indirect restorations can’t compete with.

And let’s talk about ergonomics: the extrusion force our hands generate is 50% less with heated flowable composite in a syringe, and up to 75% less when using compules in a dispenser. It’s just easier on your hands, and those are your most important tool. Once you express heated composite, you’ll never want to go back to your old way of doing it.

Injection molding—pillar four of the Bioclear Method—is your golden key to the best composites you’ve ever done, guaranteed.