Heated Composite for Efficient Restorations

There has been recent discussion concerning the use of heated composite. 

When composite is heated, the physical properties of the material are modified. At a microscopic level, the particles of composite experience an increase in kinetic energy and move faster than their room-temperature counterparts. This increased movement of monomers and free radicals in heated composite increase the degree of conversion when curing and may also even increase the depth of cure. In addition, heating composite will change the consistency of the material. When it is warmed, packable composite can become less viscous in nature. This results in a packable composite that handles more like a flowable resin. When placing a heated composite, the ability of the material to flow enables a better adaptation of the composite to the prep and can reduce the incidence of voids in the restoration and improve the marginal adaptation. Heated composite can also lead to a decrease in sorption and solubility compared with room temperature composite.

How can composite be heated?

There are a host of different ways to heat composite materials. Various dental specific composite heating units are on the market that can hold compules in a composite gun for easy access.   Other alternative methods have been implemented, including hot water baths, coffee cup heaters and dental operatory overhead lights.

Regardless of how you heat your composite, it's important to heat your material to at least 60 C  and place the material shortly after removing the composite from the heat source. As soon as two minutes after it’s been removed, composites loose approximately half of their heat.

Thus, if your composite is manufacturer-approved for warming, backed by testing for safety and efficacy and used correctly, warming:

Will not damage your composite or impact the esthetic, physical or mechanical properties of the restoration – and will generate the same or lower shrinkage forces than room-temperature composite.

Will not impact the material or cause spontaneous polymerization.

Will not damage teeth, gums or cause patient sensitivity.

Will not leach chemicals or hazardous substances.

Can improve flow for easier handling, lower extrusion force and the potential for improved adaption.