Glass ionomer cements (glass ionomers)

Carious disease manifests itself in many cases quite unnoticed, very often having a small black dot in the tooth; when visiting the dentist, very deep caries is discovered.

Basically this confuses us and we immediately start thinking about what we should do, what material is better to use and how much it will cost us. We can answer all your questions without difficulty.

We want to tell you and offer the modern nanocomposite material Filtek. Its application is very wide, from the smallest restorations to filling large volumes of voids. In this article we will tell you about what Filtek restoration fillings are. About the areas in which they are used. We will also talk about the undoubted advantages of this light-curing material. And of course we will tell you about the different types of Filtek fillings.

What are Filtek fillings?

Filtek fillings are the word quality in the highest form of restoration materials from the American manufacturer - 3M ESPE. Similar nanocomposite materials for filling are used all over the world. With their use, it is possible to restore dental aesthetics, excellent anatomical shape and chewing function.

In what areas are Filtek materials used?

Filtek material is a nanocomposite material, its use is very extensive. Unlike many other materials, Filtek is used not only in the restoration of chewing teeth, but also in cases where it is necessary to restore the aesthetics of the front teeth. This material is universal!

Let's now list the undoubted advantages of this material!

Features of using Estelite

1. Cleansing.

   First, you need to very carefully clean the covering of the tooth with a rubber cup using phosphorus paste, then rinse well with water.

2. Selection of shade.

   Before installing a rubber dam, you need to choose the optimal tone using a special Estelite palette. You need to choose a color within five minutes, because dry teeth are lighter than when they are wet. One of the key points when choosing is a rich white shade. If there is a choice between two colors, it is better to prefer the white ones (with a more pronounced intensity of whiteness). When working with whitened teeth, you need to select a shade after 10-14 days, because they tend to darken a little.

3. Insulation.

   Rubber dam is considered the best option for isolating teeth.

4. Preparation of the oral cavity.

   First, prepare the cavity and clean it with water. Make bevels along the edge of the enamel when preparing anterior teeth (for grades 3, 4 and 5) and soften the edges when preparing lateral teeth (grades 1 and 2). Bevels and smoothing will ensure that the gap between the edge and the restoration disappears, which will give a good aesthetic effect. For strength, it is necessary to choose scalloped bevels. For restorations and composite restorations, a diamond bur can help roughen the coating to improve adhesion. To clean, you can etch the surface with phosphoric acid, rinse with water, dry and apply silane, following the recommendations.

5. Pulp protection.

   If the cavity is located very close to the pulp, a glass ionomer gasket must be installed. But eugenol-based raw materials should not be used, as this will impair adhesion and hardening.

6. Adhesive composition.

   The adhesive must be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. It is especially recommended to use Tokuyama Bond Force, which is considered a one-component, self-etching, light-curing static substance. But it is strictly forbidden to use co-cured adhesive compositions or dual-curing compositions, because they will not give the same adhesive effect that is necessary when using composite raw materials. If you decide to use self-curing adhesive or dual-curing compounds, make sure that they are combined with light-curing raw materials.

7. Dosage.

   Before using unidose, you need to study the special instructions in the instructions, then you need to move the PLT into a special dispenser, remove the cap, apply the paste into the cavity itself or squeeze it onto a mixing tablet. When using a syringe, you need to remove the cap, turn the handle clockwise, apply the composition to the tablet, and put the cap back on. It is not recommended to apply extra force to the syringe if it has just been taken out of the refrigerator.

8. Filling and creation of a contour for restoration.

   It is necessary to apply the material to the surface layer by layer, but each layer must be within the specified depth (a special table has been developed for this). It is not recommended to mix Estelite with other types of composite materials or other colors from the Estelite palette. This is done in order to eliminate incomplete polymerization or the appearance of voids.

9. Polymerization.

   Each layer needs to be polymerized for at least the time indicated in the recommendations (you can check the table). In this case, you need to install the photopolymerizer at a distance of two millimeters from the composition. If you decide to use a composite composition from other manufacturers layer by layer with a cured composite, you must strictly adhere to the recommendations for their use.

10. The final stage.

    Process and polish the restoration result. At the final stage, use a diamond bur with a minimum grit. To level the boundary between the composite composition and a natural tooth, you need to perform work along the boundaries with a 12-sided bur, but without the use of water and at minimal speeds. It is also recommended to use metal or vinyl abrasive strips to finish the proximal surface. Rubber heads and all other special polishing devices are suitable for polishing.

Precautionary measures

In order to start working with the presented material, you need to comply with all the necessary safety rules specified by the developers. Here is a list of all requirements and contraindications:

• Under no circumstances should the composite be used for purposes other than those specified in the instructions.
• The presented material is used only for medicinal purposes and can only be purchased by a medical institution or persons who have confirmation of the right to conduct dental activities.
• If it is clear that the seal of the drug’s packaging is broken, there are some concerns regarding originality, and there is no special protective seal, then it is extremely undesirable to use such a product.
• The procedure is stopped immediately as soon as the patient shows the first signs of individual intolerance to the drug or its components.
• Since the composite contains methacrylic monomers, you need to be very careful. These substances are classified as allergens and should only be handled with gloves. Also remember that the substance penetrates through latex, so be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after the procedure.
• Do not allow the product to come into contact with exposed areas of the skin. If contact occurs, it is necessary to immediately rinse the affected area and consult a doctor.
• At the end of all procedures, the patient is recommended to rinse the oral cavity. Rinsing can be done several times, using plenty of water.
• Vapors from the drug Estelite should not be inhaled. Also avoid getting the material into the oropharynx. This can lead to very serious consequences.
• After completing the manipulations, the entire instrument must be thoroughly treated with alcohol-containing disinfectants.
• The doctor must carry out the entire work process wearing protective glasses.

Drug release format and cost

Estelite is produced in syringes, its cost ranges from 1500 to 2000 rubles. The kit contains either six test syringes or nine for standard use. For such a kit you will have to pay approximately 12,000-19,000 rubles.

Advantages of Filtek fillings

• Filtek fillings are used not only in frontal teeth, but also in chewing ones
• Low landing
• Reproducibility of natural properties of enamel and dentin
• High aesthetics and smoothness.
• Good wear resistance.
• Material from a well-known company provides a guarantee of effective treatment
• Of course, this manufacturer has a huge range of colors.

Now let's talk about the types of Filtek filling material.

Adhesive systems for dentin

Ensuring good adhesion of a hydrophobic material to a hydrophilic one is quite a difficult task, which they have been trying to solve for many years. In a fairly short period of time, several generations of adhesive systems for dentin have changed, with development going in two directions - simplifying the procedure for use and improving the adhesion itself. But we all know that simple and high quality are far from synonymous. The term “generation” does not, by and large, have any scientific basis; nevertheless, it allows us to structure in a certain way the whole variety of adhesive systems present on the market today. Belonging to a particular generation is determined by the chemical composition, mechanical adhesion indicators and ease of use.

1st generation adhesive systems

The first generation of adhesive systems has fairly strong adhesion to enamel, but minimal adhesion to dentin. The adhesion mechanism is carried out due to the interaction of calcium, which is part of the teeth, and the bond. After some time, postoperative sensitivity appeared, because the restoration in the dentin was “dangling”, holding on to the enamel with all its might. These generation adhesive systems have been recommended for use with Class III and V cavities only.

2nd generation adhesive systems

The main difference between the second generation adhesive system and the first is that this adhesive will interact with the smear layer, which was not previously involved. But this improvement only helped to slightly increase the period of stay of the restoration in the oral cavity. Postoperative sensitivity was still observed and about one third of the restorations required replacement after a year.

3rd generation adhesive systems

After some time, scientists were able to develop a two-component adhesive system that ensured adhesion of the composite to both enamel and dentin (adhesion values ​​of 8-15 MPa), but apparently it was still not good enough. Postoperative sensitivity decreased significantly, the service life of the restoration increased, but most restorations required replacement after 3 years.

4th generation adhesive systems

4th generation adhesive systems were quite a big leap in the entire history of adhesive systems and are still the “gold standard”. As I said, simple and high quality are far from synonymous. Postoperative sensitivity decreased even more, and the adhesion rate doubled. The technique of total etching and wet dentin bonding appeared for the first time. These adhesive systems owe much to the hybrid layer that forms between the dentin and the composite. After etching, the adhesive interacts with the collagen fibers of dentin, penetrating the dentinal tubules and forming an intermediate layer that is neither dentin nor adhesive, which is called hybrid.

The main disadvantage of these systems is the difficulty of use, because All the necessary components (there are three of them) must be mixed in precise proportions. It was due to these inaccuracies that problems arose when using these systems.

As we have already said, these adhesive systems contain 3 components:

1) Conditioner (phosphoric acid in the form of a gel for etching enamel and dentin);

2) Primer (a mixture of hydrophilic low molecular weight compounds that penetrate wet dentin, saturate it and form a hybrid layer);

3) Enamel adhesive system (unfilled resin that ensures the bond of the composite with the hybrid layer and tooth enamel).

Stages of working with 4th generation adhesive systems Type 1:

Provides for cleaning only enamel.

1. Etching the enamel surface for 20-30 seconds using 37% phosphoric acid, which is part of the etching gels;
2. Removing the etching gel with a stream of running water for 20-30 seconds (you need to wash it off for the same number of seconds as you etched it).
3. Drying the enamel and controlling the quality of the etching (etched enamel has a matte tint);
4. Applying primer to the dentin of the carious cavity using an applicator (exposure 10 seconds);
5. Distribution of the primer using a weak stream of air (in this way, excess is removed and the primer penetrates more deeply into the dentinal tubules).
6. Introducing the enamel adhesive system into the carious cavity using an applicator (applied to prepared enamel and dentin);
7. Distribution of the enamel adhesive system using a weak air stream;
8. Photopolymerization of adhesive and primer;
9. Addition of composite material.

Type 2:

Provides for complete dissolution of the smear layer by etching dentin with phosphoric acid.

Stages of working with 4th generation adhesive systems Type 2:

1. Etching the enamel surface for 15 seconds using 37% phosphoric acid, which is part of the etching gels, adding the gel to the dentin for 15 seconds;
2. Removing the etching gel with a stream of running water for 30 seconds;
3. Drying enamel and dentin (quality control of etching - etched enamel has a matte tint, dentin should not be overdried - moist, shiny);
4. Applying primer to the dentin of the carious cavity using an applicator (exposure 10 seconds);
5. Distributing the primer using a gentle stream of air;
6. Introducing the enamel adhesive system into the carious cavity using an applicator (applied to prepared enamel and dentin);
7. Distribution of the enamel adhesive system using a weak air stream;
8. Photopolymerization of adhesive and primer;
9. Addition of composite material.

Types of Filtek filling material:

There are three types of Filtek fillings: Filtek Z250, Filtek Supreme and Filtek Ultimate.

So, the first one: Filtek Z250 - this material has good density, which allows it to adhere well to the edges of the teeth. This material is used in the so-called layer-by-layer technique, which means the moment when the filling is built up and more than one layer is used. This material minimizes the recurrence of caries to almost zero.

Second: Filtek SupremeXT - this material is great for making veneers or inlays. This material has a large number of shades, which makes it an excellent option for the restoration of front teeth.

And finally the third type: Filtek Ultimate - this material is newer, it was developed to improve and improve the Filtek Supreme material. It's essentially the same thing, but it has an improved formula for long-lasting shine. This material is also more convenient for the dentist to use, which will make the procedure faster.

Estelite – a new word in dental fillings

Quite a few patients will confirm that going to the dentist has always been a very difficult process and few could decide to do it voluntarily.
But the days when filling teeth was a painful procedure are long gone. Today, with the help of introduced innovations, new scientific approaches, high-quality materials and equipment, the prevention and treatment of the oral cavity will be painless and comfortable.

In this article we will talk about the material for filling teeth Estelite.

general information

Japanese scientists have created a special composite solution designed for affected teeth called Estelite Sigma Quick

. This is a special set of elements that have radiopaque properties and can be cured using light radiation.

In addition, this substance looks very aesthetically pleasing and does not stand out at the filling site. The polymerization process is quite fast, so the created product has become popular and used by many dental clinics around the world. Today it is included in the list of the best products among this kind of products.

Components and characteristics

The high level of quality and strength of the presented material is based on the excellent mechanical and physical properties that are inherent in the elements of the composition of this composite mass.

If we talk about filling, then Estelite largely consists of silicon-zirconium and composite filler. Its share in the total mass reaches 82%. The filling material also contains an inorganic compound, which is a spherical submicron filler. Its average particle size reaches only 0.2 microns, and the fractional composition fluctuates at the level of 0.1-0.3 microns. This element is responsible for the level of gloss and slow abrasion of the substance. The monomer base contains bis-glycedimethyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

The higher the degree of filling of the composite substance, the lower the level of polymerization shrinkage.

A feature of the Estelite filling material will be the use of RAP technology or a radical-enhanced polymerization activation system.

Using light radiation emitted by a photopolymerizer (peak wavelength is 470 nm), the time required for the substance to harden is reduced by almost three times compared to other materials traditionally used for filling teeth.

It is thanks to the presence of this unique system in the composition of the Estelite Sigma Quick material that the long service life of the filling is ensured. The substance is presented in syringes and in unit doses (PLT, “PreLoadedTip”).

How it works?

Dentin fragments are instantly filled with the presented preparation. This must be done so that the adhesives penetrate inside at the same level and to demineralize the composition. Only 100% occupancy allows the formation of an integral monomer structure.

In addition, the drug does not depend on whether the working area is dry or wet. The monomer adheres well and holds firmly, which is another positive quality of Estelite.

In order to calculate the material filling boundary with maximum accuracy, a special pigment is used. After the procedure, it easily disappears from the teeth and leaves no traces.

It is also worth paying attention to the fact that this drug significantly reduces the level of enamel sensitivity and promotes good strength. This is what allows it to be one level above traditional composite filling materials. Estelite is also distinguished by its versatility and ease of use.

Our clinics

Clinic "Elident" on Varshavskaya

Varshavskoe highway, 75, bldg. 1, Moscow 117556

• Varshavskaya (500 m, closed until 2021)
• Nakhimovsky Prospekt (1,300 m)

Mon-Sat : 09:00-21:00; Sun : 09:00-19:00.

Online registration

+7 (495) 649-41-19

Elident Clinic in Annino

Varshavskoe highway, 154, building 1, Moscow 117405

• Annino (500 m)
• Academician Yangelya (700 m)

Mon-Sat : 09:00-21:00; Sun : 09:00-19:00.

Online registration

+7 (495) 649-41-19

Prices for caries treatment