Filtek Z250 XT ™

Nano Hybrid Universal Restorative

Technical Data Sheet

Indications Product Description
• Direct anterior and posterior
Filtek™ Z250 XT Nano Hybrid Universal Restorative is a visible light-activated nanohybrid
restorations including occlusal
composite designed for use in both anterior and posterior restorations. A dental adhesive is used to
surfaces
permanently bond the composite to the tooth structure. It is available in 12 shades, two of which
• Core build-ups are Opaque. All shades are radiopaque and fluorescent. It is packaged in syringes and capsules.

• Splinting
• Indirect restorations including
inlays, onlays and veneers

Shades
The shading system of
Filtek™ Z250 XT Nano Hybrid
Universal Restorative is based
on the Vitapan® Classical Shade
Guide. A simplified set of shades
was selected to cover most
dentists’ everyday needs.
Shades A1, A2, A3, A3.5, A4, B1,
B2, B3, C2 and D3, with two
dentin-like shades, OA2, OA3.
Composition
The performance of a composite material is largely dependent upon Microhybrids and Nanohybrids
the fillers it employs. Generally, a composite that has smaller particles
Microhybrids and nanohybrids contain a mix of larger particles and
is more polishable and retains its polish better than one containing
smaller sub-micron sized particles. Particle size on average is typically
larger particles. Also, generally a composite with a higher filler loading
below 1 micron but above 0.2 microns. A wide distribution of particle
provides stronger mechanical properties. Four broad classifications
sizes can lead to a high filler loading with resultant high strength and
are used to describe composites: Microfills, Nanofills, Microhybrids
wear resistance.1 More recently, the description “nanohybrid” has
and Nanohybrids.
been marketed. The distinction between microhybrids and nanohybrids
is not always clear, perhaps due in part to how they are marketed.
Microfills After all, even microhybrids contain a small fraction of nano
(sub 100 nanometer) sized particles. Companies add nanoparticles to
Microfills, with their small particles, are known for their polishability
microhybrids to fill the resin gaps between the larger particles. This
and polish retention. But with the large surface area of the small
can result in improved esthetic performance. There is, however, a limit
particles, high filler loadings and the associated strength benefit
to the amount of nanoparticles that can be added before the handling
have been unattainable, making microfills only suitable for low
becomes too stiff. It is worth noting that both microhybrids and
load-bearing, usually anterior applications.
nanohybrids contain larger particles than nanofills or microfills, and
are therefore inherently limited in the esthetics that can be achieved.
Nanofills However, because they offer good overall performance and versatility,
usually at a reasonable cost, they are a popular choice for dentists.
3M ESPE is the only company with a product in the nanofill category.
A summary of composite classifications is given in Table 1.
Filtek™ Z350 XT Universal Restorative, the latest offering, has a
unique combination of nano-sized particles and nanoclusters. A high
filler loading of nano-sized particles is achieved with this system, and
the true nanofillers deliver both strength and esthetics.

Table 1: Composite Classification Summary

Microfill Nanocomposite Nanohybrid Microhybrid

Sub-100nm particles Sub-100nm particles Sub-100nm to micron-sized particles

Discrete Discrete* Average particle size tends to be slightly lower
Non-discrete (fused) Non-discrete (fused) for nanohybrids (though many exceptions)
Pre-polymerized nanocluster Contain large amounts of ground particles

High surface area: High surface area: Low surface area:

High polish retention High polish retention Intermediate to low polish retention

Low filler loading: High filler loading: High filler loading:

Low strength High strength High strength

*Treated to bond to resin

1. Filtek™ Z350 XT Universal Restorative Technical Product Profile, 3M ESPE

Composition
The Filler System Zirconia/Silica Silica
•S
 urface-modified zirconia/silica with a median
particle size of approximately 3 microns or less
•N
 on-agglomerated/non-aggregated 20 nanometer
surface-modified silica particles
• T he filler loading is 82% by weight
(68% by volume)
The filler technology of Filtek™ Z250 XT Nano Hybrid Univeresal
Restorative is a unique hybridization of particles, including
engineered nanoparticles. See Figure 1. It was derived from the
Filtek™ Z250 Universal Restorative filler system, known for its
excellent handling and strong mechanical properties. With the
goal of achieving a better performing, more esthetic nanohybrid
composite, the Filtek Z250 restorative filler system was improved
with the addition of proprietary nanoparticles and nanoclusters
which are bound in the resin matrix. The result is an optimized
nanohybrid composite that offers great, non-sticky handling with a Zirconia/Silica Clusters
favorable consistency that holds its shape without slumping prior Fig. 1: Filtek™ Z250 XT Nano Hybrid Universal Restorative filler TEM at 50K
to curing. This unique combination of fillers makes the system easy magnification, 3M laboratories internal photo. Nanosilica particles
to polish with good polish retention within the class of hybrids, and nanozirconia/silica clusters are the “Nano” portion of this nanohybrid.
All filler is surface-treated to bond with resin.
providing predictable esthetic results. It has good mechanical
properties and wear resistance for strong posterior restorations.
Filtek Z250 XT Nano Hybrid restorative offers the benefits expected
from a hybrid composite for both posterior restorations and anterior
restorations.

The Resin System

•B
 IS-GMA, UDMA, BIS-EMA, PEGDMA and TEGDMA
The resin technology is based on the Filtek Z250 restorative resin,
replacing some of the TEGDMA with PEGDMA to moderate shrinkage.
Filtek Z250 XT Nano Hybrid restorative composite exhibits a low
shrinkage relative to competitive composites in this class of materials.
Customer Satisfaction
Performance
Two-hundred sixty-eight dentists evaluated Filtek Z250 XT Nano Hybrid restorative over a period of three to five weeks, and
rated it very favorably on several key attributes. The majority of dentists surveyed preferred its overall handling, giving it an
average rating of 7.9 on a 10-point scale, where 0 equals “very dissatisfied” and 10 equals “very satisfied.” For Peformance,
Handling and Ease of Use, in vivo data on file.
Performance Satisfaction
Average rating
n=268
Overall satisfaction

Overall handling

Overall esthetic satisfaction

Overall clinical performance

Overall ease of use

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Very Dissatisfied Very Satisfied

Handling
In this same clinical evaluation, dentists found the handling to be suitable for both anterior and posterior restorations,
and rated it very favorably. They were asked to rate the handling attributes on a 7-point scale—for Viscosity, Stickiness,
Flow and Ability to Hold Shape—with a rating of 4 being ideal.
Handling Attributes
Viscosity Stickiness to instrument Flow Ability to hold shape
Too thick Not sticky enough Not enough Difficult to smooth
7
6
Score of 4 is “Ideal”

5
4 4.0 4.1
3.7 3.9
3
2
1
Too thin Too sticky Too much Does not hold shape

Ease of Use
Nanohybrid composites are popular because they are versatile and easy to use. Factors that can affect the ease of use of a composite
include the shading system, the polishability and the ease of achieving expected esthetic results. The Filtek Z250 XT Nano Hybrid restorative
shading system was designed to match the Vita® Classical Shade Guide with 12 shades that cover most dentists’ everyday needs. Though
polishability can be an issue with some hybrids, the filler package of Filtek Z250 XT Nano Hybrid restorative was specifically designed to yield
a composite that is easy to polish and easy to achieve a good esthetic result. These combinations of factors make Filtek Z250 XT Nano Hybrid
restorative easy to use.

Ease of Use
Ease of achieving
desired esthetic results

Ease of polish

Ease of shade selection

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Very Dissatisfied Very Satisfied
Physical Properties
The requirements for a universal composite are challenging. Strong posterior restorations and esthetic anterior restorations with
one material are not easy to achieve. Filtek Z250 XT Nano Hybrid restorative composite offers both strong mechanical properties
and good esthetics relative to other hybrid composites in the marketplace. All of the following are based on 3M ESPE internal data.

Compressive Strength MPa

Filtek™ Z250 XT

Gradia Direct X

Tetric EvoCeram

Grandio

TPH3

Herculite XRV

300 320 340 360 380 400

Flexural Strength MPa

Filtek™ Z250 XT

Gradia Direct X

Tetric EvoCeram

TPH3

Grandio

Herculite XRV

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Diametral Tensile Strength MPa

Filtek™ Z250 XT

Gradia Direct X

Tetric EvoCeram

TPH3

Grandio

Herculite XRV

0 20 40 60 80 100

Fracture Toughness K1c

Filtek™ Z250 XT

Gradia Direct X

Grandio

Tetric EvoCeram

TPH3

Herculite XRV

0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50

 Gradia Direct X

Grandio
Physical Properties (continued)
Tetric EvoCeram
Volumetric Shrinkage % Shrinkage
0Volumetric0.5Shrinkage1 % Shrinkage
1.5 2 2.5 3
Filtek™ Z250 XT
Filtek™ Z250 XT
Herculite XRV
Herculite XRV Three-body Wear um lost/200,000 cycles
TPH3
Filtek™ Z250 XT
TPH3
Gradia Direct X
Gradia Direct
Gradia Direct XX
Grandio
Tetric EvoCeram
Grandio
Tetric EvoCeram
Herculite
Tetric XRV
EvoCeram
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
TPH3 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Grandio
Three-body Wear um lost/200,000 cycles
Three-body Wear
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0
um lost/200,000 cycles 20.0 25.0
Filtek™ Z250 XT
Filtek™ Z250 XT
Gradia Direct X
Gradia Direct X
Tetric EvoCeram
Tetric EvoCeram
Herculite XRV
Herculite XRV
TPH3
TPH3
Grandio
Grandio
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0
Smaller filler particles make a composite more wear resistant because they leave less interparticle distance and
the resin matrix is more protected. The filler design of Filtek™ Z250 XT Nano Hybrid Universal Restorative with its
nanoparticles reduces the exposed resin and gives Filtek Z250 XT Nano Hybrid restorative excellent wear resistance.

Polish Retention at 6,000 Brush Cycles

Gloss Units
Filtek™ Z350 XT

Filtek™ Z250

Filtek™ Z250 XT

Tetric EvoCeram

Gradia Direct X

Grandio

Polish Retention at 6,000 Brush Cycles

Herculite XRV Polish Retention at 6,000 Brush
GlossCycles
Units
Gloss Units
Filtek™ Z350 XT
TPH3
Filtek™ Z350 XT
Filtek™ Z2500.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0
Filtek™ Z250
Filtek™ Z250 XT Historically, a weakness of hybrids with their relatively large particle sizes has been polish retention. Only
Filtek™ Z250 XT true nanocomposites such as Filtek™ Z350 XT Universal Restorative deliver polish retention similar to
Tetric EvoCeram
Tetric EvoCeram what can be achieved with a microfill. However, within the class of hybrids, Filtek™ Z250 XT Nano Hybrid
Gradia Direct X Universal Restorative with the addition of nanoparticles performs well against competition. Tiles were
Gradia Direct X prepared to a high initial polish then subjected to toothbrush abrasion. The data above shows the final polish
Grandio
Grandio retention (gloss) after 6,000 toothbrush cycles.
Herculite XRV
Herculite XRV
Name Name
TPH3
Vskd Askikfgajer TPH3
Vskd Askikfgajer 3M, ESPE and Filtek are trademarks of 3M
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 or80.0
3M ESPE AG.90.0
Gradia Direct X, Grandio,
Fayhin siekit Hainety Fayhin siekit Hainety
0.0 10.0 20.0 Please recycle. Printed in (Country).60.0
30.0 40.0 50.0 70.0 Herculite XRV,90.0
80.0 Tetric EvoCeram, TPH, Vita
Askik Siekit Hainety Askik Siekit Hainety
Country Country © 3M 2011. All rights reserved. and Vitapan are not trademarks of 3M.