The concept of heating dental composite, specifically preheating resin composites before placement, first appeared in dentistry in the early 1980s, building on the foundational development of composites in the 1960s.
Composite materials originated with Dr. Rafael L. Bowen’s pioneering work on Bis-GMA resin in the late 1950s/early 1960s, leading to commercial products like Adaptic in the 1970s. These offered great esthetics and strength but suffered from high viscosity and placement challenges.
Early Research (1980s)
The idea of applying heat gained scientific attention with a 1981 study by Bausch, de Lange, and Davidson (Journal of Oral Rehabilitation). They showed that temperatures up to 60°C improved mechanical properties like diametral tensile strength and microhardness, thanks to reduced viscosity and enhanced polymerization.
Early experiments highlighted benefits like better flow, adaptation, and monomer conversion, though clinical use remained limited and often improvised (e.g., warm water baths).
Early Research (1980s)
The idea of applying heat gained scientific attention with a 1981 study by Bausch, de Lange, and Davidson (Journal of Oral Rehabilitation). They showed that temperatures up to 60°C improved mechanical properties like diametral tensile strength and microhardness, thanks to reduced viscosity and enhanced polymerization.
Early experiments highlighted benefits like better flow, adaptation, and monomer conversion, though clinical use remained limited and often improvised (e.g., warm water baths).
Clinical Popularization (2001 Onward)
The technique became a practical clinical tool in the early 2000s. Dr. Joshua Friedman is widely credited with implementing and popularizing preheating starting in 2001. By warming composites to 54–68°C (130–155°F), he achieved dramatically lower viscosity for easier extrusion, superior cavity adaptation, reduced voids/microleakage, higher degree of conversion, and often shorter curing times—without losing final strength after cooling.
Commercialization
To standardize the process, AdDent Inc. (founded by Friedman) introduced the Calset Composite Warmer in 2001. This chairside device provided precise, consistent heating (e.g., 37°C, 54°C, or 68°C) for composites and other materials, replacing inconsistent methods and making preheating reliable for everyday use.
Today, preheating remains a mainstream technique in restorative dentistry, especially with modern universal and bulk-fill composites. It bridges packable and flowable behaviors, enhancing handling, adaptation, and restoration success through simple, evidence-based innovation.
Commercialization
To standardize the process, AdDent Inc. (founded by Friedman) introduced the Calset Composite Warmer in 2001. This chairside device provided precise, consistent heating (e.g., 37°C, 54°C, or 68°C) for composites and other materials, replacing inconsistent methods and making preheating reliable for everyday use.
Today, preheating remains a mainstream technique in restorative dentistry, especially with modern universal and bulk-fill composites. It bridges packable and flowable behaviors, enhancing handling, adaptation, and restoration success through simple, evidence-based innovation.