How dentists helped shape a smarter composite warming solution

Composite warming is becoming a “must-have” in dental care. Warmed composite — material used in fillings to restore teeth — has better flow and improves adaptation to the tooth structure. Warmed composite is fluid for easier handling and reduced extrusion force. Despite the benefits, many dentists have hesitated, concerned about extra steps, bulky devices or cost.

That hesitation is exactly what drove Solventum to create the Solventum™ Filtek™ Composite Warmer — a device designed for Filtek™ Dental restoratives, with plenty of input from dental professionals.

Listening first, designing smarter
“The majority of dentists are not warming their composites yet,” says Belinda Reynolds, application engineer at Solventum. “So we needed to investigate why.”

Dentists pointed to real obstacles: warming felt like an extra task and existing devices were clunky. The goal became clear: make a device that is fast, easy and portable, and simple enough to fit seamlessly into any workflow.

The science and the difference you feel 
Filtek™ Dental Restoratives perform at room temperature, notes Mark Agre, global scientific evidence manager. But warming them changes the experience: easier extrusion, smoother handling and more adaptable to tooth structure. “A lot of dentists really prefer the handling of the composite after it’s been warmed,” he says. 

Reynolds puts it simply: “You can compare it to wax: Cold wax is stiff in your hand, but warm wax adapts to your hand. Composites are the same.”

Shaped by feedback, proven in practice
Customer input led to a compact design that heats quickly and moves easily chairside. Dentists who tested it called the portability a “wow factor.” In fact, 49 professionals trialed the warmer for six weeks before launch, reporting strong satisfaction with its speed and simplicity. 

A solution built together 
The composite warmer isn’t just a new device — it’s what results from listening, collaborating and solving for real-world dentistry.

Learn more about how a little warmth can make a big difference.