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Frequently asked question about Venus Pearl
1) What is special about the Venus Pearl chemistry?
Until now, low shrinkage monomer systems, such as BIS-GMA, had to be combined with reactive thinners on account of their low viscosity. However, these thinners raise the shrinkage of the monomer matrix. Venus Pearl is based on the same monomer system as Venus Diamond. A patented monomer (TCD-DI-HEA), which combines low shrinkage and low viscosity, is used in both composites. The use of reactive thinners is not required and so the positive properties like low shrinkage for example, are maintained.
2) Venus Diamond and Venus Pearl are both based on the same monomer system. How do you explain the difference in consistency?
The difference in consistency is explained by two adapted filler systems: Venus Pearl has a particle size distribution of 5 nm – 5 μm, and in comparison to Venus Diamond, it contains a prepolymerised filler. In addition, Venus Diamond has a wider particle size distribution of 5 nm - 20 μm.
3) Why does Venus Pearl contain a prepolymerised filler?
The prepolymerised filler in Venus Pearl replaces the filler used in Venus Diamond with a larger particle size (up to 20 μm) so that the creamy consistency is guaranteed with easier polishability.
4) What are prepolymerised fillers?
Prepolymerised fillers were originally developed for microfiller composites that are known for their particularly good polishability. These prepolymerised fillers are based on polymers that are filled with very small SiO2 particles. These organic fillers allow excellent polishability on the basis of their reduced hardness.
5) Does Venus Pearl contain BPA?
No, Venus Pearl is BPA-free.
6) How many levels of translucency are there within the Venus Pearl range?
Venus Pearl offers three translucency levels: The opaque dentine shades (e.g. OLC, OMC, ODC and OXDC) have the lowest translucency in the respective ranges. These shades with increased colour intensity are used to cover amalgam tattoos and discoloured teeth and restore dark class V cases. The universal shades (Vita shades, A.., B.., C.., D..) possess colour intensities of medium translucency and are available in a large range. They can be used without additional layering or can be combined with opaque dentine and incisal shades to achieve aesthetically pleasing results. The incisal shades are the crowning glory, offering utmost transparency and minimum colour intensity. They form the enamel layer.
7) Venus Pearl has a consistency that is rather creamy, but still stable. I prefer a firmer composite (in general, or e.g. only for the posterior region). Which composite would you recommend to me?
Kulzer offers a firmer alternative to Venus Pearl with Venus Diamond - depending on the preference and indication of the dentist. Kulzer now offers two nano-hybrid composites with different consistencies, Venus Diamond and Venus Pearl, that are both based on the innovative and patented monomer matrix, which has advantageous physical properties.
8) Does a softer consistency also mean increased stickiness?
No, our goal during the development of Venus Pearl was to maintain the advantageous handling properties of Venus Diamond like low stickiness. Because of its special formulation, Venus Pearl demonstrates a softer consistency without an increase in stickiness. This has been confirmed by comprehensive user tests involving more than 100 established dentists in Europe and the USA.
9) What do the prefix ‘O’ and suffix 'C' mean in the Venus Pearl opaque shade colour names?
The prefix ‘O’ (e.g. OLC, OMC etc.) stands for ‘Opaque’. These shades are the least translucent of all Venus Pearl shades. The suffix C in the opaque shades means "chromatic" and emphasis the intensive chroma of these shades.
10) How can I determine the exact shade of Venus Pearl to be used?
Besides the Venus Pearl Shade Guide, a small sample of Venus Pearl can be polymerised directly on the tooth. The colour matching effect arising after polymerisation is easy to assess prior to treatment.
11) Why does the material seem matt during layering?
During processing very little monomer appears on the surface. This is completely normal for Venus Pearl. Monomer on the surface would increase stickiness and therefore hamper handling.
12) Which adhesive systems can I use?
Venus Pearl can be used with commercially available bonding agents. We recommend iBOND Self Etch or iBOND Total Etch. It is important that the adhesive layer forms an even, thin layer everywhere in the cavity.
13) Can I use a flow composite as a liner in the cavity?
Venus Pearl can be used with commercially available flow composites. The use of a flow material is recommended, especially in deep or large cavities in order to adapt to the surfaces of the cavity preparation. We recommend the flowable nano-hybrid composite Venus Diamond Flow to complement Venus Pearl.
14) Which polymerisation lamps are suitable?
Depending on the shade used (see user manual), the polymerisation times are between 20 and 40 s per increment. Commercially available QHT (Quartz-Halogen-Tungsten) or LED curing light are suitable such as the Kulzer Translux® curing units or any other blue-light unit (wavelength of 440–480 nm; light output of 1550–550 mW/cm²). Note: Curing lights can have an immense variation in intensity and emitted spectral output. Users should check with the light unit manufacturer and verify its efficacy non-clinically before using in a patient.
15) How can I achieve a durable high gloss?
You can, of course, also use the polishing system for Venus Pearl that you have used until now. We recommend the use of Venus Supra pre-polishers and high-gloss polishers. With this long-lasting polishing system, you achieve a durable high polish in just two stages.
16) Should Venus Pearl restorations always be completed using a layering technique?
No. If high aesthetic needs are secondary, e.g. in the molar region, a complex layering technique is not needed. In these cases, only the universal shades are required to give acceptable results.
17) How does the colour adaptation of Venus Pearl work?
The refractive index of the filler and the monomer matrix have been completely matched, so that the material blends in perfectly with the colour of the surrounding dental hard tissue after polymerisation. This makes the restorative margins virtually invisible. An independent study at the University of Texas, School of Dentistry at Houston (Prof. Paravina) confirmed the excellent colour adaptation of Venus Pearl.
18) Why is the Venus Pearl Shade Guide special?
The shade guide consists of the original Venus Pearl material and not of acrylic. This in turn, ensures the colour of the shade tabs are identical to the cured material. The different translucencies were used for layering the shade tabs thus facilitating easier and simple shade selection for each individual patient.
19) Why were the Kulzer shades HKA2.5 and HKA5 created?
The HKA2.5 shade closes the gap between the most popular Vita shades, A2 and A3. There was a corresponding market demand for an intermediate shade. HKA5 is intended especially for use in treating cervical lesions in older patients. Previously, there was no corresponding reddish brown darker shade for this indication.
20) Are there also shades in the Venus Pearl colour range that I can use for bleached teeth?
Yes, in the Venus Pearl shade range, there is an opaque bleach shade (OB), as well as two different universal bleach shades (BL = Bleach Light, BXL, Bleach Extra Light).
21) What do the abbreviations CL, AM, CO and YO mean?
CL (Clear), AM (Amber), CO (Clear Opal) and YO (Yellow Opal) are the incisal shades from Venus Pearl.
22) What is the purpose of shade CORE?
In the dark oral cavity, it is often difficult to distinguish between the natural hard tooth tissue and core build-up in the posterior region, particularly if the core build-up reaches the subgingival area. The green shade CORE supports the dentist in this regard, since it simplifies the distinction and thus assists in the placement of the preparation boundary. The special shade should be used under opaque restoration materials (e.g. under metal or zirconium work). For full ceramic restorations, you should use a corresponding shade from Venus Pearl as core build-up material in the visible region. Because of the special, green pigment, the Venus Pearl shade CORE can be safely polymerised up to a layer thickness of 3 mm.
23) Are the Venus Diamond and Venus Pearl shades compatible with one another?
Yes, the Venus Diamond and Venus Pearl shades are perfectly suited to one another and are compatible. For example, a solid dentine core in the anterior region can be built up using Venus Diamond and then subsequently covered and finalised with Venus Pearl using an instrument or even using a brushing technique.
24) Are there differences in the polymerisation times between the standard and opaque shades?
Yes, the opaque shades (OLC, OMC, ODC, OXDC) and some darker standard shades (A4, C3, D3, HKA5) must be polymerised for 40 seconds. These shades absorb a lot of light and require longer lighting for complete curing. 20 seconds is sufficient for curing all other standard Vita shades.
25) What is the difference between shrinkage and shrinkage force?
Shrinkage is the specification most commonly discussed. Low shrinkage certainly improves the integrity of the filling margins. However, this value alone, actually says nothing about how the shrinkage affects the cavity walls. It is essential that the shrinkage-stress force exerted, when curing the composite, is as low as possible, minimising stress to the cavity walls. As stated, low shrinkage stress is desirable, because a gap between the filling and the cavity wall can only arise if the force is so high, that the adhesive bond is damaged or stressed.
26) Is Venus Pearl a low shrink composite?
Yes, Venus Pearl demonstrates particularly low volumetric shrinkage. Internal measurements according to the Watts method show that the volumetric shrinkage of Venus Pearl is 1.9%. It is essential that the shrinkage-stress force exerted, when curing the composite, is as low as possible, minimising stress to the cavity walls. During an internal in-vitro investigation of volumetric shrinkage (photoelastic measurement), Venus Pearl achieved a shrinkage stress of only 4.2 MPa after 24 hours. By comparison, conventional composites demonstrate a shrinkage stress of greater than 5 MPa.
27) Are there stain shades?
Kulzer delivers five different stain shades with Venus Colour that are used for characterisations in the anterior and posterior region: Choco, Corn, Amber, Blue and White. With these, you can imitate cracks in the enamel, discolourations of fissures or chalky spots, for example.
28) Can Venus Pearl really be modelled with the brushing technique?
Yes, because of its creamy consistency, Venus Pearl is ideal for modelling with the brushing technique. This is appreciated by several dentists as a very comfortable way to design vestibular surfaces.
29) What are the indications of Venus Pearl?
Venus Pearl is indicated for direct restorations of Class I – V cavities (according to G.V. Black), direct composite veneers, shape corrections of teeth (i.e. diastemas, congenital defects in teeth, etc.), splinting of teeth loosened by trauma or periodontal disease, indirect restorations (inlays, veneers), restorations of primary teeth, core build-ups and repairs of porcelain, composite (in combination with an adequate repair-system).
30) Is Venus Pearl as strong as Venus Diamond?
Venus Pearl has comparable physical properties to Venus Diamond. During a study at Tohoku University in Sendai (Japan) by Prof. Finger, a flexural strength of approximately 160 MPa was measured for both materials (without a statistically significant difference).
31) Is Venus Pearl a nano-material?
Venus Pearl is a nano-hybrid material i.e. it contains a perfect combination of fillers of different sizes. This also includes the nano-range. The combination of different filler sizes improves the mechanics, aesthetics and shade matching.
