By Karen Comisi CDA, RDA, FADAA

As Treatment Coordinator at Dental Care with a Difference®, PC, I had the opportunity to present treatment options to patients and answer their questions. After reviewing their restorative needs I would ask what they knew about filling materials. I quickly discovered most patients have no idea what materials are used in their mouth and why. Then I would ask if I could share some really interesting information about the materials we used at our practice.

Most of our patients either had composite restorations or knew someone who did. I explained most dental offices use traditional tooth-colored composites, and they attach this filling material to the tooth using a bonding agent. Put simply, a plastic filling is affixed to the tooth with an adhesive. After a while the adhesive breaks down, leaving teeth vulnerable to acid attack.

I said that our office uses bioactive filling materials, like ACTIVA BioACTIVE, that are ion-releasing and provide teeth withthe minerals they need to become stronger. I would then mention some of the other benefits of bioactive restoratives, including:

• reduced sensitivity
• marginal integrity which keeps the bacteria out
• resistance to fracture and chipping
• reduced wear
• excellent esthetics
• shorter appointment times because it can be bulked filled

Taking the time to educate your patients about the materials going in their mouths will set you apart from the other offices in your community. An educated patient is also a wonderful referral source.

About Karen L Comisi, RDA, CDA, FAADA
Over the past 33 years, Karen Comisi has held almost every staff position in the dental office, with the exception of dentist and dental hygienist. She has been an orthodontic dental assistant, oral surgeon dental assistant, general dentist assistant, front desk and insurance coordinator, office manager, CFO, Co-Founder of Dental Care with a Difference, PC and currently Co-Founder and CFO of Sleep Focused Solutions, Inc.  She is one of the first licensed, registered dental assistants in New York State and is a founding member and Treasurer of the Southern Tier Dental Assistants Society. Karen is a DANB Certified Dental Assistant, a member of the American Dental Assistants Association, the American Association of Dental Office Managers, the Office for Safety & Asepsis Procedures (OSAP), and The American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH).