What is a light seal? Differences from a conventional chemical filling

Modern people do not visit the dentist as often as recommended. Usually a visit is associated with severe pain, when it is no longer possible to endure. Because of this, most patients are unaware of innovations in the world of medicine.

For many of us, a filling made of composite materials is the only option to plug a hole in a tooth. Few people know about the existence of ceramic and plastic fillings, not to mention advanced light fillings. Let's find out what a light filling is, the features of the most advanced fillings at the moment, and what their price consists of.

Features of installing light seals

An ordinary composite chemical filling, which is placed in any clinic, is distinguished by its affordable price and fragility. It hardens quickly as a result of mixing chemical components. There is no need to talk about the aesthetics of such a filling. It does not have a variety of colors and cannot be sanded in detail after installation.

The light filling hardens under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, until this moment the filling remains plastic . The dentist has no time limit to perfectly form a filling for a damaged tooth. Recreating the correct tooth shape is only possible with a light filling.

A photopolymer filling consists of a main filler and a substance susceptible to UV light. When exposed to ultraviolet radiation, two processes occur simultaneously: hardening of the filling and color polymerization.

The filling of the filling is chosen depending on the task at hand. For molars, whose main task is to chew food, fillers with large and coarse particles are intended. They don't look as nice, but they last longer.

For incisors (front teeth), aesthetics is much more important. These teeth come into contact with food only during a bite, so fillers with fine dust-like contents are intended for them.

Types of permanent fillings

Permanent fillings are different, but if we talk about rough classification, they can be divided into three large groups: metal , cement and composite fillings . Let's start with traditional metal fillings.

Metal fillings

Metal fillings are also called amalgam fillings . Such fillings are strong and durable, however, they have many disadvantages. For example, a metal filling is toxic, so it must be installed by a qualified doctor. In addition, an amalgam filling takes three to four hours to harden. During expansion of the filling, the tooth wall that is in contact with the filling may fall off.

Cement fillings

Cement filling can be divided into two types, in particular it can be phosphate and glass ionomer. Phosphate filling is already outdated, it has little strength and is prone to abrasion, so such fillings are practically not installed.

Glass ionomer fillings are similar in nature to natural teeth. In addition, such a filling includes a special component that reduces the risk of secondary caries.

Composite fillings

Composite fillings can be made from porcelain, acrylic, epoxy, and also from a special light-curing material. Porcelain fillings are durable and, unfortunately, toxic. Acrylic fillings are fragile, but not subject to abrasion. The most optimal are light-curing (light) fillings, however, their cost is quite high.

How much does a light filling cost and why?

The cost of a light seal puts off many patients until they learn the real benefits of this approach. Prices for such fillings in different clinics range from 500 to 1000 rubles. But this is not the limit, because additional work is paid separately. As a result, the amount can grow to several thousand rubles for one filling.

What the patient pays for:

Anesthesia if necessary (cheap or expensive, public clinics also offer free anesthesia)
Removal of damaged tissue
Cleaning the tooth before filling
Polymer matrix
Main filler (Silicon dioxide or glass ceramics)
Binder

The clinic uses imported components for light fillings. The main suppliers are: USA, Japan and Germany. Analogues are being developed in Russia, but so far they are not on the market. The cost of the filling also depends on the country of origin. The quality of the composites is at a high level.

We advise you to find out in advance how much you will have to pay for each cycle of work. It’s better to choose a “turnkey” filling with anesthesia and x-rays for a certain price than to then quarrel with the administration and find out the reasons for the high bill.

How much do the products cost?

Which fillings are best to install based on their cost? It seems that the only correct answer to this question is that all good things come at a price. However, this is not so; in each specific case, one must start from specific features, and only they will dictate the future price of the filling.

However, in order to get at least a little orientation in the pricing policy, you should know that inlays cost in the range of 3000-14000 rubles, compomers from 650 to 1000 rubles, chemically cured composites from 600 to 800 rubles.

Stages of installing a seal

Installing a light seal is a lengthy process, but the result is worth it. The patient receives not just a patch for the tooth, he receives an almost new tooth with artificial filling. This step does not include pain relief because it is only used when necessary.

First, the dentist examines the damaged tooth, removes damaged tissue, and disinfects the internal and external surfaces of the tooth. If necessary, grinds a hole to the required diameter
Once all the preparatory work has been completed, the doctor dries the surface of the tooth so that saliva does not remain under the layers of the filling.
A light-sensitive polymer is placed into the resulting cavity layer by layer. Each layer is dried until hardened, after which a new one is applied
The very last top layer requires special attention. The dentist’s task is to recreate the surface in such a way that the tooth is reconstructed to its original state
Before exposing the final layer to ultraviolet light, the dentist checks the interaction of the tooth with the opposing teeth. The bite should not change
After the filling has hardened under exposure to light, it is ground and polished to resemble a natural tooth.
The final stage will be an x-ray of the tooth to make sure there is no air and moisture in the dental cavity. Typically, this service is paid additionally

How does the installation work?

In addition to choosing the necessary material for filling a tooth, it is worth knowing the features of installing these products. This process has certain features on which the service life of a particular filling product depends. Features of installing seals:

First of all, an examination of the diseased tooth is carried out and an accurate diagnosis of the lesion is established, and the area of damage is determined;
Next, the tooth is treated with special preparations, the cavity and surface of the tooth are cleaned of damaged tissues;
Typically, during treatment and cleansing, the doctor performs local anesthesia using various anesthetics. The choice of anesthetic depends on the strength of action and on the individual characteristics of the patient’s body;
During deep lesions, a special pad with calcium is placed, it will speed up the process of relieving the inflammatory process;
An insulating gasket is placed under the aesthetic part of the filling material, which is made of high-quality materials with a high degree of adhesion;
The next stage is to install the filling material;
If material is installed with a light-hardening base, then each layer of the filling product shines.

This photo shows a tooth at the moment of carious destruction, and also shows the final result of treatment. The doctor performed an examination, anesthesia, cleansing the cavity from affected tissue, installing special medical linings, and aesthetically restoring the appearance of the tooth.

Light fillings on front teeth

When it comes to the aesthetics of the oral cavity, all dentists recommend installing a light filling. No other is able to fit into the dentition in such a way that there are no differences.

The light-curing filling has a large number of colors and shades. Once you have decided to have it placed, your dentist will select the shade of the filling based on the color of your tooth. This is a critical moment for the front teeth. The boundaries of the light seal are almost impossible to see.

Distinctive features of the coating

When talking about this dental material, it is necessary to emphasize that it:

It hardens only when treated with a special medical lamp , while ordinary fillings become hard as a result of a chemical reaction that occurs between their components and oxygen from the air. The bonds formed during the processing of the liquid photopolymer composition are much stronger. This means that the light “tab” will exactly repeat the shape of the carious “hollow”. There will be no gaps or microcracks between it and the walls of the tooth in which microorganisms could multiply. All this together significantly extends the service life of the material.
May be of different shades. Therefore, the dentist has the opportunity to make a destroyed fang, molar or incisor beautiful, almost indistinguishable from its neighbors. The ability to match colors is very important when working with front units.

Advantages and disadvantages

There is nothing better than a natural healthy tooth. Therefore, any dental intervention will have its pros and cons. A light filling certainly has more advantages.

Advantages

High plasticity of the filling for an unlimited time, which makes it ideal. The material will not harden at the most inopportune moment
Safety for the patient, no side effects. The filling can be placed on children and pregnant women. No toxins
A large color palette from which the doctor can select a color that is indistinguishable from the natural tooth of each individual person
Durability
A correctly formed filling does not cause any discomfort to the wearer.
A light-curing filling can restore a tooth, even if more than half of the bone tissue is destroyed
Almost instant bonding with the tooth. After an hour you can already consume food in most cases

Flaws

The first and main disadvantage is the high cost. Of course, it is not formed out of thin air; you will definitely be pleased with the result. But a fact is a fact
The light seal cannot be placed in hard-to-reach places. Such fillings do not cover external cervical caries of “sevens” and “eights,” for example. Because the ultraviolet lamp will not be able to illuminate the surface of the tooth, and the filling will not harden properly
For several days, you should not consume food or drinks that are coloring, so that the filling does not change its color.
Over time, the color may change and move away from ideal similarity due to incomplete polymerization

What materials are used for such filling?

Let's consider all the options for filling materials that are used in Clarimed dentistry. They have proven to be the best in terms of price-quality ratio and help solve almost any problem with chewing teeth.

Glass ionomer cement (GIC). This is a modern cement material that is often used to install permanent fillings on the chewing surface. It hardens well in a humid environment, so it is also used to treat the most problematic types of caries, for example, those below the gum level. The material creates intermolecular bonds with enamel and dentin, therefore it holds well and does not require additional sites for strengthening. During the polymerization process, the cement material practically does not shrink, releases fluoride ions into the tooth tissue and adheres perfectly to the edge of enamel and dentin due to thermal expansion.

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Light-curing composite "Filtek". A light-curing nanocomposite material that has received medals in various dental competitions at the international level for several years in a row. It lends itself well to modeling, is aesthetic, elastic and very durable after hardening. Suitable for any carious cavities, retains its properties for a long time and is minimally susceptible to abrasion.

Liquid-flowing light-curing composite FLOW. Ideal for filling small carious cavities on chewing teeth. The material is aesthetic, well modeled, and durable.

Liquid-flowing light-curing composite Estelite. The highest award in the field of dental restoration, a kind of dental Oscar, according to the popular American magazine The Dental Advisor, was awarded to this Japanese filling material from 2010 to 2021.

Estelite is suitable for all types of carious cavities, gives minimal shrinkage when cured and has 20 shades that will completely restore the aesthetics of any tooth. This is the most wear-resistant material presented, it has minimal abrasion, and it is possible to restore both front and side teeth; cutting and chewing surfaces. The Japanese composition releases fluoride ions, therefore reducing the risk of recurrent caries. In addition, the composite is characterized by deep adhesion to dentin, resulting in a monolithic structure without a marginal gap.

If the filling is placed correctly on the chewing surface, then it is practically indistinguishable from a real tooth.

How long after a light filling can I eat?

Dentists recommend not eating for exactly one hour after you leave the office with a new tooth. Much depends on what size filling is installed and what percentage of the tooth was initially damaged.

If a filling is placed in a tooth with a small hole, that is, it can be done immediately after installation, there are no restrictions. True, such situations rarely happen.
If the tooth damage was moderate, then it will be enough to refuse food for an hour
If the tooth has been restored, if there is now more filling material on it than bone tissue, then refrain from eating for 2-3 hours. After three hours of waiting, you can definitely eat no matter how much dental work you do.

What is

Probably every person at least once in his life has had to resort to treatment and installation of a filling on a tooth. But rarely does anyone think about what material these products are made of, as well as what types of fillings exist currently. But in vain, knowledge of these features will help you choose the most suitable filling that will last a long time, and sometimes it can completely imitate dental tissue. In addition, it is worth considering that the process of installing a filling is a rather labor-intensive process that requires increased professionalism from the doctor so that the material lasts a long time and does not fall out of the tooth a few days after installation.

Black carious formations provoke pulpitis (nerve inflammation), this occurs as a result of infection entering the tooth cavity where the neurovascular bundle is located. But inflammation of the nerve in the tooth does not develop immediately, but only when the carious cavity becomes deep enough.

In the dental field, a filling is understood as a special material that has high viscosity, but at the same time it hardens quite quickly. Using this material, the doctor fills the area of the tooth that has been cleared of caries or pulpitis. In addition to filling holes, this material is often used to hide damaged enamel or other defects. But it is worth remembering that the more reliable the structure of the filling, the better the tooth will perform its natural functions. Nowadays there is a wide variety of materials that are used for filling teeth. Dentists use metal, plastic, and ceramic bases as fillings; fillings made from different types of cement are also often used. In addition, they are divided into temporary and permanent fillings.

How long does the filling last after installation?

Light seals have a lifespan of 5 years. Much depends on oral care and nutrition. With proper care, a filling can last more than 10 years. There are certain recommendations for extending service life:

Maintain daily oral hygiene. Good brushing of teeth in the morning and evening, mouthwash and floss throughout the day. Your dentist can recommend a toothpaste to you based on the condition of your mouth and the sensitivity of your teeth and gums.
Stop smoking. It greatly reduces the service life. A polymer filling has high strength, but a natural tooth does not. By destroying the natural foundation for the filling, you destroy the filling itself.
Try to avoid sudden changes in temperature in the oral cavity. Do not drink hot soup with ice water, as this will cause microcracks in your teeth. Because of this, the structure of the restored tooth is disrupted, the filling may lose contact with the tissue and fall out
Eat more solid foods, especially fruits. Contrary to misconceptions, hard food does not cause any harm to enamel and fillings, unless you chew bones, of course. One apple can provide additional teeth cleaning throughout the day

More details about the new product

Experts say that filling is not a treatment, but a camouflage of the tooth. In essence, this is how it is. This technique was first used in German dental centers. The liquid composition acts as a kind of high-strength sealant; it fills every microcrack in the unit, thus making it impossible for pathogenic microorganisms to penetrate. If you perform this procedure at an early stage of the disease, you can completely and irreversibly get rid of caries. If we were talking about an advanced case, most likely, sooner or later the carious cavities will make themselves felt again.

This development acts as an alternative to drills and other methods of caries treatment that require anesthesia. This filling is unique because its installation does not even require local anesthesia. The effectiveness has been proven in numerous tests, but in the case of large carious cavities this technology is not used.

conclusions

A photopolymer filling is the most perfect way to restore a damaged tooth to almost its original condition. Durability, lack of side effects and restrictions have made this technology popular all over the world. Reviews about such fillings are the most positive.

Such fillings cost several times more than chemical ones, if only because all the components are imported from abroad. But if you consider how long light seals last, then you can and should come to terms with the prices.

Choose a high-quality clinic, find out exactly how much and what you are paying for, and do not forget to take care of your teeth so that the filling serves you much longer than its intended period.

Filling care

Of course, in order for fillings to last as long as possible, they need to be looked after.
Don't be alarmed, nothing special is required. All you need to do is brush your teeth regularly and use the services of a professional hygienist at least twice a year. Do not forget to remind the hygienist about the need to polish fillings. In addition, we should not forget that the filling material is inferior in density to enamel. This means it absorbs various pigments. Avoid brightly colored berries, beets and similar foods for three days after the filling is placed. Take care of your teeth! Moscow metro station Zvezdnaya, Danube Avenue, 23

What does dental photopolymer consist of?

Light-curing filling composition includes:

Heliocomposite. Used by dentists for direct dental restoration. New generation coating. Unable to freeze without a light source. It is absolutely harmless. It does not contain any impurities that could harm human health. Can be used without restrictions by pregnant and lactating women. Quite elastic. This means that during restoration activities, unwanted zoohardening will not occur. Under the influence of an ultraviolet lamp, heliocomposite decomposes into radicals. It is as a result of this process that the polymerization process of the filling is activated.
Filler. It can be glass ceramics, silicon dioxide and other means. The structure, shade and area of application of the filling agent depend on the characteristics of the filler.
Binding connections. Needed for reliable adhesion of all substances that form the light-hardening composition.