SMART MONOCHROMATIC COMPOSITE

Smart monochromatic composite is a leading shade-matching composite that gained more acceptance in recent times.

It has the capability to capture the structural color of its surrounding tooth that is controlled by the size of its filler particles & has no extra dyes or pigments, whereas fillers itself produce red-to-yellow structural color that matches the surrounding tooth color.

Smart monochromatic composite is a one-shade material that is specified to match entirely 16 VITA Classical shades (VITA North America, Yorba Linda, CA). It has another shade that is opaque, termed as Blocker to represent the color of dentine in translucent areas like restorations in class IV cavities.

Smart monochromatic composite has a distinctive feature that helps clinicians not be confused by many shades.

The main characteristics of smart monochromatic composite include better polishing capability, superior flexural and compressive strength, easy handling, clinically satisfactory outcomes, and resistant to ambient light & it presents a rapid and easy method that makes striking and functionally esthetic restorations. It carries minimal wear of composite and opposing tooth structure.

Smart monochromatic composite is available in the form of opaque-white paste that allows the material more visible to clinicians during manipulation and placement. The material is evenly mixed with adjacent teeth prior to application of light source during curing. Chamfered margin is preferred to get better marginal seal.

A single shade is only required to match color in Classes I and II restoration in posterior teeth. In case of extensive Class III and Class IV restorations of anterior teeth, a blocking agent could be applied as 0.5 mm thin coat prior to insertion of the smart monochromatic composite. Particularly, in case of discoloration, it camouflages the internal portion of the crown. Additionally, it also reduces the shade matching interference . Omnichroma (OM) is one of the smart chromatic materials and is believed to attain the shade of the surrounding tooth structure in which it is placed.

Conclusion

 Over the past decades of enhancing esthetic restorative materials, there have been many remarkable composite restorations recognized by clinicians worldwide. Nonetheless, smart monochromatic composites are innovative resin composites which presented promising results and most stimulating advancements in the recent times. They are easy to apply, having higher mechanical properties, good wear resistance, and better optical properties along with color stability than those of conventional resin composites that offering admirable esthetics.