Using the proper composite, the injection technique is a very convenient approach to get a convincing, aesthetic result with minimum effort. We spoke with four dental technicians about their experiences with GRADIA PLUS in using this technique.

Jonas Spaenhoven: The injection technique follows a clear procedure, with maximum control over each step. It basically consists of duplicating a wax-up by making a transparent mould. A flowable composite is injected into this mould and light-cured. This versatile technique can be used for very basic restorations – e.g. using only a dentine and an enamel composite as well as very complicated and highly aesthetic restorations. Because the injection technique allows the technician to have control over each step, it’s very easy to learn allowing even young, inexperienced technicians to have very aesthetical end-results. And besides indirect restorations, a similar approach can be used for direct restorations. GC has introduced a special injection moulding kit for this purpose.

Lisa Johnson: The injection technique is a simple way of producing composite restorations especially when you want to create an accurate reproduction. Not just wax-ups, but also temporaries, denture try-ins or the existing dentition can be copied.

Marijo Rezo: The main advantage of the injection technique is the speed of production of the final workpiece, the high precision of this reproduction in the flask and the simplicity of the process itself.

Jonas Spaenhoven: It also fits perfectly in a digital workflow: the wax-up can be digitally designed and milled or printed. A temporary restoration can also be printed from GC Temp PRINT and characterised with OPTIGLAZE color. This way the end result is visualised in an early stage and adaptations can still be made during this entire phase. When the patient is satisfied, the shape can exactly be reproduced with the injection technique, making it very predictable. Moreover, composites are ideal for intra-oral corrections, small adjustments or even repairs.

Lisa Johnson: Whether you want to reproduce a try-in, a temporary or convert a wax-up to a final bridge – the injection technique is ideal. It can also be used to repair to existing restorations.

Roeland De Paepe: Absolutely, because the nano-filled composite is an excellent stress absorber. In this regard, for me, the main indication is full-arch implant work because the gain of time is huge.

Marijo Rezo: I would also use it mostly for major implant reconstructions and telescope work. But glass-fibresupported bridges, provisional crowns and bridges and all normal indications for indirect composite are also possible.

Lisa Johnson: I choose to use GRADIA PLUS as I feel this material gives me the best possible aesthetic results – and the Light Body flowable composite is perfect for this technique. The material is strong and very easy to work with. Having used many other composite systems over the years, GRADIA PLUS is my choice for any composite work.

Marijo Rezo: The consistency of the material itself is excellent. The One body material is extremely lightly injected into the flask itself because it is very fluid and does not need to be heated.

Jonas Spaenhoven: As the injection technique is ideal for the easy reproduction of complete arches, you need a strong and wear resistant composite. With a flexural strength of 160 MPa, GRADIA PLUS is particularly suitable for high-wear, high-pressure restorations. And because you inject a big volume of highly filled composite, you obtain a very dense and strong arch. Besides the outstanding physical properties, GC GRADIA PLUS is also very friendly to the antagonists because of the ultra-fine filler technology.

Roeland De Paepe: GRADIA PLUS offers different modules were especially the LB One Body colors and the LB colors form the Layer Pro set have the perfect solutions for injection techniques. The Gum set makes the picture complete.

Jonas Spaenhoven: There are also the Lustre Paints that can be used to paint your aesthetics externally or used internally . For very aesthetical restorations, a cut-back with internal characterisations using the Lustre Paints or Light Body effects can be performed. A variety of enamel shades can then be injected to cover the dentine base. Thanks to the modularity of the GC GRADIA PLUS system, every technician can choose his level of finishing, depending on the case.

Marijo Rezo: It offers a wide range of colours that can handle even the most demanding aesthetic reconstructions, and an innovative glazing system is put at the top of the range.

Roeland De Paepe: In the GRADIA PLUS system every lab can choose which modules are interesting for the preferred composite indications. The number of syringes was brought back from 150 in the old GRADIA system to 65 in the new GRADIA PLUS.

Jonas Spaenhoven: Yes, but the colours can be mixed to obtain an individualised effect, so you have endless combination options. Especially dental technicians who are used to working with ceramics, will immediately like this system because mixing colours is basically what they do in their daily work.

Lisa Johnson: I think this kit differs from others as it is the first kit I’ve found that contains everything you need to fabricate natural looking restorations, from the heavy body material that can be hand-layered to the light body that can be injected. The range of pink composites for the gingiva can also be either layered or injected. The kit also has Lustre Paints and a glazing fluid that can be used for characterisation – it’s a complete kit and all you need!!