The document describes a new technique called "intracuring" where dental flowable composite materials are injected into intrastromal corneal tunnels created by laser and then polymerized to reshape the cornea. The author presents results from an experimental study on sheep eyes where significant changes in corneal curvature were observed after intracuring, demonstrating its potential for treating conditions like keratoconus and myopia. Further research is still needed to evaluate the clinical applications and safety of this approach in human patients.

1. Intracuring; Intrastromal
Corneal Application of
Dental Flowable Composite
Faik Oruçoğlu (Orucov)
Istanbul / Turkey
ECC 2010
The author do not have any proprietary interest in the products and drugs
mentioned in this presentation. Dr. Oruçoğlu (Orucov) hold patents to the
Intracuring method for cornea flattening with intrastromal corneal application of
dental flowable composite.

2.  A dental restorative or dental filling is
a dental restorative material used to
restore the functional integrity and
morphology of missing tooth
structure.
 flowable composites are more
frequently applied because of their
flowability and easy handling of the
applicator since 1996.
 Flowable restoratives are low
viscosity, visible light-cured,
radiopaque materials that are
indicated for a variety of uses,
including direct restorative pit and
fissure sealant, repair of indirect
composite porcelain and temporary
acrylic materials.

3.  Flowability allows the material
to be injected through small-
gage dispensers thus
simplifying the placement
procedure and amplifying the
range of clinical applications .
 The flowable composites can
be easily inserted into small
cavities and are expected to
exhibit better adaptation to the
internal cavity wall compared
to the conventional restorative
composites.

4.  We hypothesized that flowable dental composites could
be used in the cornea for the same indications as ICRS
for flattening the corneal curvature.
 We called this intrastromal polymerization technique
‘intracuring’ procedure.
 In this study, dental flowable composites were used
intrastromally in sheep corneas for the purpose of
flattening the anterior corneal curvature.
 This is the first experimental study of intrastromal
polymerization in changing anterior corneal curvature.

5. Methods
 In an experimental laboratory set up eight fresh
sheep eyes were used for tunnel creation.
 Before the procedure the corneal epithelium
was removed with a corneal scraper in all eyes
to have consistently smooth corneal surfaces.
 Afterward, the eyes were fixed in an interface,
positioned, and attached by applying suction
energy to the Femtec laser system
 The laser settings were as follows: tunnel depth
in 450 µ; inner diameter 6.6 mm; outer diameter
8.8 mm; entry cut length 0,8 mm. The incision
was placed at 12 oclock.

6.  After completion of the laser cut, flowable
composite was injected slowly through the
tunnel incision until complete filling.
 Excessive composite was cleaned from
the incision.
 Flat plastic material was used for pressure
on the cornea during polymerization. An
LED light was applied for polymerization
for 20 seconds.

8. Results
 The change on the cornea curvature was
observed in the all cadaveric sheep eyes after
intracuring intrastromal polymerization.
 Scheimpflug images showed significant changes
on the corneal curvature.
 Therefore, as sheep corneas are flat, more
flattening was achieved by the intrastromal
polymerization of flowable composites.
 Flattening in the inferior cornea and steepening
at the opposite part was seen on the sagittal
curvature map

12. Conclusion
 This new application may be a promising
technique for the treatment of keratoconus
or myopia.
 The application of this technique in
humans could offer improved treatment
options in the future
 The clinical applications and safety of
these materials in human corneas require
further study.