A photopolymer filling is a modern filling material based on a composite substance that changes its state of aggregation under the influence of light rays of a certain length. Light composite has a whole range of advantages over traditional analogues, including: increased strength, durability, resistance to pigmentation, comfort of work for the dentist, etc.
After hardening of the photopolymer composite, the filling is reliably connected to natural dental tissues and acquires maximum strength. It is installed in the treatment of a wide range of dental pathologies and is the most popular solution in modern dentistry.
What is a photopolymer filling?
Photopolymer filling is a popular and convenient way to restore teeth, which uses photopolymer materials.
Composites harden in the oral cavity solely under the influence of a specific wave of light emanating from a lamp. Thanks to this property, the dentist can do his work slowly and creatively.
In addition, light-reflecting composites are available in different colors and degrees of transparency, and accordingly, with their help it is possible to hide darkened hard tissues and even metal, as well as restore enamel and dentin.
There is also technology that allows you to combine reflective and chemical materials. It is in this case that it is possible to make the most of all the advantages and neutralize the disadvantages of each method.
There are many reasons why photopolymer fillings are widely used in dentistry. The risk of cracks occurring during operation is minimized. All functions of the teeth are completely restored, while the patient’s sensations remain the same as with healthy teeth.
Kinds
Regardless of the type, a composite material is used to make a photopolymer filling. He can be:
- macro-filled;
- microfilled;
- minifilled;
- hybrid;
- compomer.
In addition, composites are divided into fluid and solid. They are placed in syringes and applied to the surface to be treated using tools specially designed for this purpose. Conventional ones are not suitable for this purpose, as the material will stick to them.
In case of restoration of the interdental contact point, as well as when filling the cervical area, they resort to the use of fluid polymer fillings.
It is they that fit as tightly as possible and are evenly distributed over the surface, due to which they create tight contact with hard tissues. They are easy to use. In this case, the possibility of applying more composite than necessary is completely excluded.
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In the process of restoration of anterior teeth, it is customary to use solid photopolymers. They are plastic, thanks to which they can give the tooth any shape and will fully correspond to the anatomical structure.
When restoring a large cavity, the material is applied in layers, since the rays of the lamp cannot penetrate into the deep layers. For more reliable fixation, the enamel is highlighted first and only then the remaining areas.
Indications and contraindications
There are a number of indications for which the use of photopolymer materials is used. The main ones:
- tooth fracture;
- change in color of enamel that cannot be bleached:
- significant defects of tooth enamel;
- the presence of large fillings in the cervical area;
- noticeable interdental gaps;
- the need for minor correction of the position of the teeth;
- damage to the crown by a maximum of forty percent.
Even if there are indications for installing a filling, a specialist may refuse to carry out the necessary treatment. Among the main contraindications for installation are the following:
- bruxism;
- severe destruction of the front teeth;
- active development of caries;
- teeth subjected to intensive fluoride treatment;
- lack of proper oral hygiene.
Some of the contraindications are classified as conditional. Over time, they can be eliminated, and, accordingly, there will no longer be barriers to installing fillings made of photopolymer materials.
Indications for dental restoration with photocomposite
Photopolymers are indicated in the following cases:
- carious lesions of teeth;
- non-carious diseases - erosion, hypoplasia, fluorosis, etc.;
- defects in the shape and color of teeth;
- chips as a result of injuries;
- replacement of old fillings with restoration of the anatomical shape of the tooth surface.
A photopolymer filling is not installed in the presence of granulomas and inflammation in the root zone, as well as in cases of severe destruction. The fourth stage of tooth mobility is also a contraindication. In this case, you will have to delete them.
Installation
The process of installing a photopolymer filling is carried out in several stages. Most often, treatment is carried out according to this plan:
- Administration anesthetic drug.
- Preparation of the area affected by caries.
- Treatment with medications.
- Isolation of saliva and mandatory drying.
- Application of acid to improve adhesion.
- Thorough rinsing and drying.
- Application of adhesive material.
- Layer-by-layer application of the composite.
- Polishing and grinding.
If the depth of the lesion is too great, then additionally resort to the use of a therapeutic and insulating pad. If dentin layers are damaged, they must be isolated. In those cases when the cavity is excessively large, first a medicinal material is placed into it and only then an insulating material.
The process of etching the enamel can be carried out both before and after insulation. The gel, which contains orthophosphoric acid, is applied exclusively to the dried surface. Only in this case will it be possible to achieve the desired effect.
After applying the adhesive system, it is sprayed using an air stream. Then the material is illuminated with a lamp for literally half a minute. The filling is formed by layer-by-layer application of reflective material.
At the final stage of installation, the filling is ground, removing all irregularities and polished. The tooth acquires natural smoothness and shine. It is almost impossible to distinguish it from natural one.
Care
The rules for caring for photopolymer fillings are practically no different from ordinary oral hygiene.
Patients simply need to brush their teeth regularly with a soft toothbrush and rinse their mouth with warm water or a special solution after each meal.
It is also important to regularly, at least once every six months, have a routine examination with a dentist. Only if problems are detected in a timely manner can they be easily eliminated and the development of more serious diseases prevented, and accordingly preserve the integrity of the tooth that has been restored.
Which extension method should I choose for chewing teeth?
The dentist always depends on whether the damaged chewing tooth has a nerve. In the absence of a nerve, it is better to restore it in this way: “fiberglass pin + composite tooth filling” or “tooth stump inlay + ceramic crown.”
If the chewing tooth has a healthy nerve, the crown part can be built up with a classic filling made of composite material, and for strength, a special inlay made of light-cured glass ionomer can be installed.
Life time
The service life of photopolymer fillings largely depends on the quality of the material and the competence of the specialist. In addition, the patient himself is able to both shorten and significantly extend the service life of the filling.
The materials used in the filling process can be either highly durable or less reliable. Provided that a high-quality composite is used, it can last up to seven years.
There are cases when the filling falls out almost immediately after its installation. There may be several reasons for this. It is possible that when filling, the doctor made a mistake, as a result of which the material was not securely fixed. The most common cause is adhesion failure due to saliva or liquid.
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In such cases a guarantee is issued. Within a year after the filling is installed, the patient can apply for a repeat procedure. There is no charge for the service.
It is also possible that the patient simply did not follow all medical recommendations. In this case, you also need to seek help from a specialist. It is advisable to give preference to those clinics that have only positive recommendations. In this case, the risk of the filling falling out will be minimal.
Do's and don'ts after installation
When installing light fillings, the doctor gives a number of recommendations, following which it is possible to preserve their integrity for many years. The most important of them are the following:
- Eliminate viscous foods from the diet that can lead to loss of the composite.
- Avoid excessively hard foods such as nuts and crackers, especially in cases where the front teeth have been restored.
- Get rid of the habit of biting your nails and biting threads.
- Brush regularly, at least twice a day .
- professionally once every six months . In this case, be sure to inform the specialist that photopolymer fillings have been installed and indicate their exact location.
- For several days after the filling is installed, do not eat foods that contain dyes. Otherwise, the material will darken and the tooth will lose its natural appearance.
The main advantage of fillings made from photopolymer materials is that you can eat food immediately after the procedure. If chemicals are used, it is necessary to wait at least two hours for the cement to completely harden.
Cost of a photo seal
The cost of installing a light-curing filling consists of several factors:
- Material cost;
- The degree of tooth decay;
- Doctor's skill;
- Additional measures (imaging, removal of old filling, treatment of caries, etc.).
On average, the cost of installing a photo seal now ranges from 1,000 to 3,500 rubles. It can also be more expensive if there is almost nothing left of the tooth and it needs to be restored almost completely. As a rule, the price of a photopolymer filling for the front teeth is always higher than for the rest.
Advantages and disadvantages
The demand for photopolymer fillings is due to a number of their advantages. The main ones are the following:
- it is possible to accurately restore the relief and shape of teeth even in cases where they are too damaged;
- the filling is combined with hard tissue into a single whole thanks to a special adhesive system;
- after hardening, the material becomes durable, securely bonded to the enamel, and resistant to cracking;
- it is possible to achieve the desired cosmetic effect by selecting the desired color shade of the material;
- installation is carried out by applying the composite layer by layer, thereby creating an imitation of natural dental tissues;
- preparation of cavities and defects is reduced to a minimum;
- In case of delamination or chipping, adhesive correction is possible.
Among the disadvantages of such fillings, one can highlight only shrinkage of the composite when exposed to light and insufficient polymerization. The polymer does not harden completely, and therefore the original shade may change over time.
Photopolymer fillings have many advantages, which is why they are most often used in dentistry. This is a reliable type of dental restoration, with the help of which it is possible to give even severely damaged hard tissues a natural appearance.
Another peculiarity of the use of light composites is that the material hardens only under the influence of a special lamp. Accordingly, the specialist has the opportunity to clearly recreate the natural shape of the tooth, which is very difficult when using other materials.
How is a light seal different from a regular one?
In fact, the term “light filling” is more popular among the people, but experts usually use other names: photopolymer, light-curing, heliopolymer are the most common of them. A light filling is a fairly plastic material, and thanks to ultraviolet light it is much easier for a specialist to carry out a filling. This is the main difference between a light filling and a regular one. In addition, you can choose many colors and shades for a light filling, which is why it is so often used in the treatment and restoration of teeth in the smile area. In short, the main advantages of a light filling are reliability, durability and high aesthetics. These qualities make light-based dental fillings one of the most sought after in the dental market.
