Dentatus Luscent Anchors

The one-stop effective procedure for curing composites within the confines of canals providing anchorage and flawless aesthetics

• Transmits polymerizing light within the confines of canals
• Provides the one-stop core anchor foundation with all restorative matierials
• Reflects natural hues for flawless aethetic restoration
• Visible radiolucency in canal and through the core materials
• Available in 3 diameters to fit very slim and large canals

The resin reinforced fiberglass Luscent Anchors fulfill dentistry's preference for very strong, non-metallic posts that are consistent with adhesive practice and procedures. The anchors can be placed in large and the smallest canals with conventional adhesive techniques and materials to support the core foundation and aesthetic restorations.

The radiolucent anchors, homogeneously attached to the canal and core material, transmit the tooth color without being visible under most adverse light conditions. They also provide a sound core-crown gingival interface radiating natural color through soft and hard tissues surrounding teeth.

Introduction kit #LUC-K1 contains 12 anchors in 3 sizes, 3 depth-marked reamers, 1 Probos II instrument and convenient core Forms-to-Fit.

In the U.S. and Canada, Luscent Anchors are available through participating dental dealers.

Quick Tips

Restoring endodontically compromised teeth with fiber-reinforced
light-transmitting anchors

Certainly one of the most challenging aspects of restorative dentistry is the esthetic restoration of the endodontically treated tooth. In the past, the focus has been the search for the best methods to achieve clinical success based on the post itself. Currently, evidence points to the deficiency of focusing on the type of posts and materials rather than considering the post-core complex in function.

Although teeth flex in function, the ultimate restoration in its totality should create an integrally sealed unit that does not yield, bend, or flex. Extreme impact forces should be absorbed by the periodontal complex, and the internal structures of the root should be reinforced to resist fracture.

Luscent Anchors™ fulfill all the criteria

With the introduction of the Luscent Anchor™ (Dentatus USA, Ltd.) (Figures 1 and 2), past technical compromises are eliminated. The anchors transilluminate light, are easy to use, and offer significant benefits in radiolucency, retention, and superb esthetics.

Figure 1 - The Luscent Anchor™

Figure 2 - Radiograph of three different diameters of the light-transmitting Luscent Anchors™

Endodontic treatment compromises the strength of the tooth. The Luscent Anchor™ combines strong fiberglass rods encapsulated in a resin matrix that transmits light within the canal confines. A benefit of the translucent anchor is that it can be used with dual-cure resins and bonding techniques, which allow sufficient time for exact centering and seating of the anchor, as well as a complete fill of the composite inside the canal (Figure 3). The Luscent Anchor™ integrally bonded to the composite core/crown complex provides durable support with natural background hues for esthetic restorations (Figure 4).

Figure 3 - Luscent Anchor™ in facial and lingual canal of a maxillary premolar.

Figure 4 - Occulusal view of Luscent Anchor™ with integral composite core complex.

Case Study

Clinical Technique
The patient's earlier endodontically treated maxillary central incisor that has progressively discolored will be restored with a Luscent Anchor^TM and composite core with an all-ceramic crown (Figure 1).

Figure 1 - Discolored endodontically treated maxillary central incisor.

Canal Preparation
The gutta-percha and residual cement are removed from the root canal using a Probos^® I™ (Dentatus USA, Ltd.) canal finder, using the radiograph as a guide. The canal is refined using the Luscent Reamer™ (Dentatus USA, Ltd.) to match the selected anchor (Figure 2). Additional mechanical retention within the root canal is created with the Probos^® II™ Reamer-Router (Dentatus USA, Ltd.), making slight unidirectional notches within the thickest walls of the root canal.

Figure 2 - Compromised structural integrity of the tooth with a widely flared canal.

Adhesive Technique
The Luscent Anchor™ is tried into the canal and cut to length using a diamond or carborundum disk. The root canal is etched for 15 to 30 seconds with phosphoric acid etchant, rinsed, and dried. A fourth generation dental adhesive is placed inside the root canal using a Microbrush® (Microbrush, Inc.) applicator; first dentin primer, then adhesive resin.

Luscent Anchor™Placement
The Luscent Anchor™ is coated with adhesive resin. A light-cured or dual-cured composite is syringed into the root canal, and the anchor is centered and fully seated into the canal (Figure 3).

Figure 3 - Luscent Anchor™ bonded to the root canal walls and composite core.

The light-curing probe is placed directly over the Luscent Anchor™, and the entire complex is light-cured multidirectionally for 2 minutes. Using this technique eliminates the need to wait for self-curing resin to harden, and the core can be immediately built with an appropriate color or composite.

Core Build-Up and Tooth Preparation
Any qualified composite resin core material can be used with the Luscent Anchor.TM When the composite core has set, the tooth can be prepared for the crown, and a well-adapted temporary crown is cemented. The completed all-ceramic crown demonstrates the translucency and esthetics of a natural-looking tooth as a result of the light-transmitting properties of the composite core/Luscent AnchorTM complex (Figure 4).

Figure 4 - All-ceramic crown supported with a Luscent Anchor™ and matching hue composite core. Note the natural vitality, translucency, and flawless ginival crown interface.

Conclusion
Data support the effectiveness of self-curing composite with plastic light-transmitting posts.^1-5 The innovative Luscent Anchor™ is in sync with both the current-generation esthetic crown materials and the large patient demand for flawless esthetic restorations.

Unlike many nonmetallic prefabricated post techniques that require specific adhesives and resins, Luscent Anchors™ can be placed with a wide range of materials used by experienced practitioners in their clinical applications. The Luscent AnchorsTM position can be confirmed by the differential radiolucent outline at the anchor composite interface, as well as inside the core.

The Luscent Anchor™ has been placed in more than 1,000 canals during a 2-year period with excellent clinical results using this light-transmitting, translucent esthetic post technology kit with three assorted diameters (1.4 mm, 1.6 mm, and 1.8 mm) and matching Luscent Reamers.™

Additional data and other information can be obtained from
Dentatus AB, Sweden, +46-8-546 509 00
Dentatus USA, Ltd., NY; 1-800-323-3136

Acknowledgement

Clinical procedures and photography courtesy of Drs. R. Martelli and D. Massironi.

References

1. Tjan AH, Tjan AH Sun JC: Retention of Luminex post systems. Oral Health 87(8):31-35, 1997.

2. Lui JL: Composite resin reinforcement of flared canals using light transmitting posts. Quintessence Int 25:313-319, 1994.

3. Linde L: Flexural strength of luminex post treated roots. Presented at the European Society of Endodontology, 8th Congress, Gothenburg, Sweden. June 12-14, 1997.

4. Nathanson D: In vitro study of transillurninating posts and their effect on the depth of cure of composite materials. Boston University, Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry. Report on file at Dentatus USA, New York, New York.

5. Strassler HE, Coletti P, Hurter J: Composite polymerization within simulated root canals using light-transmitting posts. J Dent Res 76(special issue):82, 1997.