When good gets better, that equates to great, and Variolink Esthetic LC HV (light cure, high viscosity) is the perfect example. A new addition to the Variolink Esthetic line, this product is a porcelain veneer cement offering all of the perks of the original Variolink Esthetic five-shade system, now combined with an easy-to-handle, high-viscosity cement. Variolink Esthetic LC HV is only available as light cure, not dual cure.
The same five-shade system is used with Variolink Esthetic LC HV allowing for control over how much you want to lighten or soften the shade of your veneer. Many veneer cements tend to be runny, but that is not the case with Variolink Esthetic LC HV, as it flows well into the veneer and allows for some applied pressure when seating without offering any of the resistance that sometimes results in cracked veneers or interference with the seat. I always say that the shade of the veneer should be pretty close to your desired outcome when you get it back from the lab, but there are times when the shade must be altered chairside. This is where Variolink Esthetic’s new shade system really pays off. Assuming the desired shade is present straight from the lab, I generally will use the neutral (i.e., translucent) shade try-in paste and modify only as needed using the five shades of Variolink Esthetic LC HV. The final outcome is especially critical with thin veneers when trying to mask out the prepared enamel and achieve an esthetically pleasing result.
Howard Glazer, DDS, FAGD, is a columnist for Dental Economics. He is a key opinion leader in dental products and maintains a general practice in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Dr. Glazer is a fellow and past president of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). He lectures frequently on the subjects of dental materials, cosmetic dentistry, forensic dentistry, and patient management.
