CATEGORY 80 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST restoration boundary line. The rest of the restoration was built using Bleach plus and A2 plus, exactly as in the posterior case. Tetric plus is not a chameleon composite in the classical sense; it does not rely on extreme translucency or complex polychromatic layering to achieve aesthetic integration. Instead, it works through a carefully balanced optical profile combined with the correct use of its limited shade range. A word on handling Clinicians new to Tetric plus may notice that the material is less easy to sculpt in its uncured state than more opaque composites. This is a direct consequence of its higher translucency, the same material property that enables 4mm depth of cure. However, familiarity with this behaviour will allow you to work with it instead of than against it, using the index, the matrix system, and the layering sequence to define form, rather than relying on sculpting alone. The role of the Bluephase PowerCure in both cases deserves a specific mention. The 3-second posterior and 5-second anterior curing protocols are not merely convenience features; they represent a clinically validated combination of material and light source that has been optimised together. The dual photoinitiator systems in Tetric plus and the broad-spectrum output of the PowerCure unit are designed to work in conjunction, ensuring that depth of cure is reliably achieved. Early clinical evidence Early in vivo evidence adds broader clinical context to the findings presented here. In a prospective single-arm study of 65 Class I and II restorations in permanent posterior teeth, Tetric plus Fill and Tetric plus Flow – cured in 3-second mode – were rated clinically excellent or good across all FDI criteria in 93.8 to 100% of cases at baseline, with further improvement at the 1-month recall. Fracture, retention rates and patient satisfaction all reached 100% at recall. Postoperative sensitivity was absent at baseline, and only one patient (1.6%) reported mild sensitivity at one month but required no intervention. Although these results are early and longer-term data are still awaited, they align with the material behavior observed in both cases described here and provide initial clinical support for the mechanical and shrinkage stress properties discussed in this article.1 The bottom line For clinicians who are already familiar with the Tetric material family, Tetric plus represents a similar foundation with some useful improvements in curing performance. For those using it for the first time, the key adaptation is understanding the material's pre-cure translucency as an asset rather than a limitation. Once that optical behaviour is internalised, the workflow becomes straightforward and the clinical outcomes, as shown in these cases, are mostly reliable. This simplicity has practical value in that it significantly reduces chairside decisionmaking, streamlines material inventory, and makes a consistent, learnable workflow applicable to the full range of restorative procedures encountered in everyday practice. Summary: Tetric plus is a reliable and efficient universal composite, particularly wellsuited to posterior restorations where efficiency, curing reliability and mechanical stability are essential. In selected anterior cases, where a simplified, monochromatic approach is appropriate and the clinician is familiar with the material’s optical behaviour, Tetric plus can deliver aesthetically pleasing results. Proper case selection, carefully considered shade choice and good finishing remain the key determinants of optimal outcomes in both indications. u Contact: info@studioammannato.com References 1. Tetric-plus-ScientificReport-EN-Rev0-18Feb25 2. Ozciftci G, Boyacioglu H, Turkun LS. Degree of conversion and microhardness of different composite resins polymerized with an advanced LED-curing unit. BMC Oral Health. 2025 Sep 29;25(1):1489. doi:10.1186/s12903025-06886-3 3. Ipek I, Unal M, Koc T. Biocompatibility of different resin composites after polymerization with two light curing units: an immunohistochemical study. Eur Oral Res. 58(1):22–9. doi:10.26650/eor.20231260787 4. In vitro changes in pulpal temperature during light exposure at different pulpal fluid flows | Odontology | Springer Nature Link [Internet]. [cited 2026 Jun 29]. Available from: https:// link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10266-02501217-y 5. Khan A, Hodson N, Altaie A. Polishing systems for modern aesthetic dental materials: a narrative review. Br Dent J. 2024;237(8):607–13. doi:10.1038/s41415-024-7963-x PubMed PMID: 39455773; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11511664. Is freely available. CLINICAL About the author Dr Riccardo Ammannato graduated from the University of Genoa, Italy, and completed an internship in adhesive dentistry at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, under Prof. F. Lutz. In 2017, he taught Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry at the University of Rome Tor Vergata under Prof. F. Mangani. He is an active member of EAED, AIC, IAED and an associate member of AARD. He developed the «Index Technique» for restoring worn dentition, published in the International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry (2015, 2018). He lectures internationally and runs a private practice in Genoa, focusing on aesthetic and restorative dentistry. Maintaining clinical outcomes beyond the dental chair SINCE 1989
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