Dental Symposium Presentation Cites Low Shrinkage Stress Rate for Venus Diamond Composite

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The recently-completed 4th
International Heraeus Symposium featured a presentation entitled, “Clinical
Relevance and Measurement of the Shrinkage Stress Generation in
Photopolymerizing Dental Composites.” The presentation, by Jack L. Ferracane,
PhD., Professor and Chair at Oregon Health & Science University, was one of 14
presentations given to an audience of 68 key opinion leaders at a two-day
symposium sponsored by Heraeus Kulzer, LLC, the worldwide leader in dental
esthetics.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111128/DE13004 )

Dr. Ferracane explained that light curing of dental composites tends to produce
a volumetric shrinkage that generates significant stress of the
tooth-restoration bond. This stress may compromise the adhesion and sealing of
dental composite restorations. Dr. Ferracane reviewed several clinical studies
that measured shrinkage stress for various dental composite brands using
different testing systems.

His key conclusions:

— Shrinkage stresses are inevitable with current dental composites,
producing stress on adhesively bonded interfaces.
— Shrinkage stress is affected by composite formulation, and increases
with increased shrinkage, stiffness and curing rates, as well as in more
confined cavity geometries.
— The magnitude of measured shrinkage stresses is dependent upon the
testing system.
— Venus Diamond has shown one of the lowest stress magnitudes in different
testing systems.
In one study co-authored by Dr. Ferracane, Venus Diamond recorded the lowest
stress among five composite brands tested at both 40s and 300s of curing light
exposure.

“As Dr. Ferracane’s presentation clearly demonstrates, shrinkage stress can
reduce the integrity and longevity of many dental restorations,” said Sonny
Serreno, Heraeus’ Director of Scientific & Clinical Affairs who oversaw the
planning of the symposium in concert with his counterparts at Heraeus’ Hanau,
Germany global headquarters. “Fortunately, our five years of extensive research
have produced a patented chemistry that allows Venus Diamond to exhibit minimal
shrinkage stress, which makes it ideal for both direct and indirect
restorations.”

Venus Diamond embodies a true balance of science and esthetics based on a
patented cross-linked polymer matrix. The optimal physical properties of Venus
Diamond offer a composite that truly performs in every category with low
shrinkage stress, unique handling, exceptional strength and durability, and
perfect color adaptation.

Heraeus, the precious metals and technology group headquartered in Hanau,
Germany, is a global, private company with 160 years of tradition. Our fields of
competence include precious metals, materials, and technologies, sensors, bio
materials, and medical products, as well as dental products, quartz glass, and
specialty light sources. With product revenues of euro 4.1 billion and precious
metal trading revenues of euro 17.9 billion, as well as more than 12,900
employees in over 120 subsidiaries worldwide, Heraeus holds a leading position
in its global markets.

SOURCE Heraeus