Dentalcompare
Clinical Director
I love getting emails like this. Dentalcompare, as well as other media outfits in dentistry, received a poorly written but passionate letter about the evils of the dental industry. Specifically, the dentist called out Dentalcompare to be open and honest, and stop pandering to the companies that promote products on our site. Apparently, he feels that Vertise Flow by Kerr and Fusio Liquid Dentin by Pentron are the same products and we are all a bunch of big liars.
His unedited email is below:
Dear all,
As you surely know Vertise Flow is the same as the Pentron product FusioLiquid Dentin, a self-adhering flowable composite.
Since Kerr/Sybron has been taken over Pentron mid 2008, it's just realistic that all new Pentron products will be marketed as Kerr products too, seen the far greater sales power of the Kerr corporation.
AND AS YOU ALL KNOW this, why are you not "honnest" with your readers-dentists and say them that both products are the same ?!
And by extension, why do you not make a list of ALL private labelled products, coming from one and the same "real" manufacturer?! Composites, adhesives, composite posts,…
Kindly,
[Name not printed]
I happen to have followed the development of Vertise Flow, and was able to clarify much of the information with Barbara Young in Media Relations with Kerr.
Specifically, Pentron was acquired by Kerr to gain the use and rights of Resilon technology, an endodontic filling material. Pentron developed Fusio completely independently of the Kerr product, and continues to market and sell Fusio as a separate product.
While Vertise Flow and Fusio are both basically a blend of bonding agent and composite, there are some clear distinctions in their formulations: Vertise Flow uses OptiBond technology, with GPDM adhesive monomers. Fusio uses 4-MET monomers. This accounts for a difference in how the two products actually bond to dentin.
While these differences at first glance may seem trivial, their basic chemistries differ and are important in the way that each of these products interacts with tooth structure, and how each is used clinically. For example, the application techniques of Vertise Flow and Fusio differ, particularly in a liner capacity. Vertise Flow asks the clinician to brush the material onto the cavity floor and all walls, cure, and build the restoration with a traditional composite. On the other hand, Fusio asks the clinician to agitate the material onto the cavity floor, cure, and then proceed to etch and bond on all walls, cure, and build the restoration with a traditional composite.
Now, on to Dentalcompare. As clinical editor for this trusted resource for dentists and hygienists, we take great strides to ensure that our content is accurate and unbiased. We do not falsely represent anyone, and have no interest in propagating inaccurate information. Yes, there is often a common manufacturer for base materials in composites or impression materials—but that is not the case with Vertise Flow from Kerr and Fusio from Pentron. Kerr University is a great example of an online resource that shows just how much research and development goes into these products. So here is a concept: Because Filet Mignon and beef jerky both come from a cow, they are not necessarily the same thing. And while I always appreciate feedback, it’s probably a good idea to do a quick fact check before inappropriately lambasting the dental media.