In 2019, Tokuyama Dental America launched the revolutionary product OMNICHROMA, the world’s first single-shade, universal composite. This allowed for the ease and flexibility of simplifying your armamentarium, saving cost due to reduced inventory, and providing excellent patient results no matter the type of restoration or color. 

It truly was a game changer for the industry, but the question remained, how can one composite material truly match every shade? It is almost like magic, however as you’ll come to learn it is not magic, it is science.

OMNICHROMA composites’ seamless shade-matching relies on structural color and translucency. Structural color is a natural phenomenon that uses light reflection to produce color rather than pigments or dyes. Think of a CD (while rare in today’s day and age) or a soap bubble, both are completely translucent, however, when held to the light, a rainbow of colors appears before your eyes. OMNICHROMA uses the same principles, its 260nm spherical fillers are the exact size and shape that make this possible. The translucent base allows it to pull the red-to-yellow color from the tooth structure it is bonded to, giving you a perfect shade match. 

For OMNICHROMA to perform at its optimal capacity, there are three specific cases in which it may be helpful to use a supplemental opaquer, OMNICHROMA BLOCKER, to ensure unrivaled shade matching. BLOCKER is a generic A range shade with opacity that creates a neutral base for OMNICHROMA to work. Let’s dive into what the following scenarios are…why BLOCKER is useful in these cases and debunk the most common BLOCKER myths.

3 Myths about BLOCKER to watch out for!

Myth #1: “BLOCKER is always needed for a good shade match” FALSE! 

BLOCKER is only needed in 3 scenarios:

1. Covering stains and discoloration
2. Preventing light interference when tooth structure is missing (ex. Class III or IV)
3. Masking dark dentin

OMNICHROMA’s shade-matching capabilities rely on the interaction of light with the surrounding tooth’s microstructure. If dark stains or discoloration are present, OMNICHROMA cannot differentiate between natural color and staining. Therefore, it may pick up the discoloration, creating an imperfect shade match. The best way to improve the shade match is by placing a thin layer of OMNICHROMA BLOCKER (1-2mm) to mask the undesirable shade which then allows OMNICHROMA to match to the “correct” surrounding teeth. 

The same goes for a restoration where there is a lack of tooth structure. When there is no tooth structure for OMNICHROMA to match, it will pick up the dominant shade present, like the darkness from the back of the throat. To prevent the potential drop in value of the restoration, create a lingual wall with BLOCKER (0.5mm minimum) will help alleviate the issue and allow OMNICHROMA to pick up a more natural tooth shade.

ANTERIOR

No BLOCKER Used

BLOCKER Used

Myth # 2: ‘It is complicated to use BLOCKER properly” FALSE!

 Like any other composite opaquing material, simply bond, apply, and light cure.

OMNICHROMA BLOCKER is not only easy to use but it also comes in two different viscosities, paste and flowable. This allows you to tailor your restorations exactly to your liking and ensure an esthetically pleasing shade match each time.

Myth # 3: “BLOCKER can be placed in any thickness” TRUE...

However, 0.5-1mm is the recommended thickness

The best tip in the book is to use just enough BLOCKER to mask the stain or darkness so that you can use more OMNICHROMA which is the key to shade matching. Too much BLOCKER may influence OMNICHROMA to match the opaquer versus the natural tooth structure. 

Understanding when and how to use the BLOCKER is key to achieving the best results. By debunking these common myths, it’s clear that OMNICHROMA's innovative technology offers unparalleled flexibility and ease of use, making it a game changer for dental professionals. With the right knowledge and approach, you can confidently rely on OMNICHROMA and OMNICHROMA BLOCKER to deliver seamless, natural-looking restorations every time.

OMNICHROMA BLOCKER 
Paste

OMNICHROMA BLOCKER
Flowable