Ketac™ Nano Glass Ionomer Primer 3M™ ESPE™ 3304P

FAQs

• How many applications are in the Clicker™?

  This will vary with the amount used for each procedure. Each Ketac™ Nano Light Curing Glass Ionomer Restorative Clicker contains 12g of paste and will deliver approximately 80 clicks. The amount of material delivered from a glass ionomer unit dose triturator capsule is about 300-350mg, two clicks of Ketac™ Molar Glass Ionomer Filling Material is approximately 250-300mg.

• How many applications are there in a vial of Ketac™ Primer?

  There are approximately 160 drops per bottle of primer.

• Ketac Nano restorative is a resin modified glass ionomer with the acid base setting reaction. Why can't I do a bulk placement since any material not light activated will eventually set anyway?

  Ketac Nano restorative is a resin modified glass ionomer that does exhibit a slowed down GI setting reaction. Ketac Nano restorative contains reactive methacylate monomers, which must be cured in 2mm or less increments to minimize residual unreacted monomers in the lower levels of the restoration and because there is no "redox" reaction that allows for continuing polymerization in the absence of light activation. Also, not properly light curing can have an effect on the physical properties.

• Could I use the Vitremer™ Primer with Ketac Nano restorative?

  No. There are similarities between the two primers, however Vitremer Primer should not be used with Ketac Nano Restorative. Use only Ketac Nano primer for conditioning the surface of the restoration.

• Does Ketac Nano restorative bond to itself?

  Yes, adhesion studies indicate that additional Ketac Nano restorative can be added to cured Ketac Nano Restorative.

• Ketac Nano restorative starts to firm up or set. With some GI's they caution against manipulating the material at this point and disrupting the GI reaction consequently reducing some of its physical properties. Is this also true for Ketac Nano Restorative?

  The major contributor to the "firming-up" is the physical interaction between the components of the two pastes. This interaction evolves with time but does not lead to a significant setting reaction, or any decrease in the properties when the pastes are manipulated within the specified 3 minute working time.

• Why do I need to use a primer?

  One of the fundamental rules in obtaining a good adhesive bond is to bring together two surfaces that are equivalent in their surface energies. All glass ionomer restorative materials, with the exception of 3M ESPE Photac™ Fil, require a pre-treatment step prior to placing the GI restorative material. For the Ketac Nano restorative the acidic, low viscosity Ketac Nano primer modifies the smear layer and wets the tooth structure so as to provide a constant surface which is ideally receptive to the glass ionomer mix. The acidic polymer of the primer has a strong inherent attraction for the dentin and enamel surfaces. Photocuring the primer crosslinks the methacrylate groups of the polymer and provides an integral surface that is ready for the placement of the ionomer mix.

• How does Ketac™ Nano Light Cure Glass Ionomer Restorative handle?

  The mixed pastes are thick and putty like and will become slightly firmer shortly after mixing. Users of resin modified glass ionomer will find it handles about the same as their current materials. Compared to some of the conventional glass ionomer powder/liquid hand mix materials, Ketac Nano Restorative may be perceived as somewhat softer depending on the powder/liquid ratio used. To aid in placement some doctors find it helpful to moisten placement instruments with the Ketac™ Nano Primer or wait until the material achieves a slightly firmer, non-sticky consistency.