In addition to permanent fillings, temporary fillings are often used in dentistry. They are necessary to close the cavity only for the duration of the diagnosis or treatment. Temporary filling material today is represented by several categories. We will present their characteristics in the article. We also denote the requirements for such materials, indications for their use.
About the procedure
The name of the procedure "filling" comes from the Latin plumbum - "lead". This is the replacement of certain defects in dental tissues with artificial material. The goal is to restore the anatomical shape of the tooth, returning its functionality. Today, both permanent and temporary filling materials are used for this.
A filling is able to compensate not only for hard dental tissues, but also to protect the pulp and apicalperiodontal.
The success of the medical interventions preceding the filling in this case is assessed by the usefulness and duration of the preservation of the applied filling. Today, a whole mass of materials are used for the procedure, differing in structure, purpose and properties.
Varieties
Temporary filling materials in dentistry are just one category. For convenience, a whole classification has been introduced that combines them:
- Permanent. They are used to restore the anatomical shape of the tooth and its direct, indirect functions.
- Temporary filling materials. Accordingly, they are needed for temporary closure of the dental cavity.
- Healing. The group includes the so-called medical pads: zinc-eugenol, containing calcium hydroxide or combined.
- Materials for filling root canals.
- Sealing materials.
- Adhesives.
There is also a slightly different classification, compiled from the standpoint of materials science:
- Metal filling materials.
- Polymer and plastic filling materials.
- Cements.
- Dental sealants and adhesives.
- A set of composite materials.
Main clinical requirements
Both temporary filling materials and all of the above are subject to uniform clinical requirements:
- Materials should not have a toxic effect onhard tissues of the tooth, pulp, mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
- Filling substances should be harmless to the body as a whole.
- Materials should have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect.
- These substances directly prevent the penetration of both pathogenic microflora and toxins into the pulp.
- Materials have anticaries effect.
- They are characterized by low thermal conductivity, which prevents the dissolution of materials in saliva.
- Filling materials are chemically inert. In other words, they are resistant to aggressive agents such as alkalis and acids.
- Such substances are quite hard, mechanically strong, wear-resistant, and also have good aesthetic properties.
- Materials do not change the shade of the tooth and do not lose their original color over time.
- Filling agents do not cause galvanic currents in the oral cavity.
- Materials do not change volume and shape during their hardening. At the same time, they quickly seize, have high adhesion to the tissues of the tooth.
- By nature, these substances are radiopaque.
Study materials
Filling materials for temporary fillings, like all others, are thoroughly studied before their direct use in dental clinics. The ongoing research can be divided into three vectors:
- Physical-mechanical testing.
- Study of the biological properties of substances.
- Clinical trials.
PhysicalThe mechanical characteristics of filling materials for temporary fillings are based on the results of a series of laboratory tests:
- Determination of material consistency.
- Increasing the temperature of the material during hardening.
- Volume changes of a substance during solidification.
- Color fastness.
- Water absorption.
- Determining the working time of mass solidification.
- Solubility in water and other media.
- Hardness.
- Opacity.
- Adhesion.
- Abrasion resistance and other characteristics.
Biological testing of temporary filling materials (including for root canals) reveals their indifference both to the body as a whole and to the tissues of the tooth. Ongoing bioassays aim to identify the following:
- General oral toxicity of the substance.
- Chronic material toxicity.
- Local toxicity.
- Specific sensitization.
Biological tests in this case are carried out on experimental animals. This allows you to get the most reliable data on the bioproperties of temporary filling material (for root canals, hard tissues of the tooth, etc.), to substantiate recommendations for further clinical trials.
For the latter, specific facts from individual observations in dental practice are important. This allows you to judge the advantages and disadvantages of each material in the conditions of its actual use, operation.
Evaluation of the condition of the seal
Both the filling material for temporary teeth and its other varieties are evaluated primarily by the filling already delivered. The following characteristics are important here:
- Edge fit.
- Anatomical shape.
- Color fastness.
- Changing the shade of the filling around the periphery.
- The incidence of reduced caries.
Temporary materials
When diagnosing caries in temporary teeth, the filling material is selected according to their condition and a number of other important factors. Compositions for temporary fillings are further divided into subcategories. However, the requirements are the same for everyone. The properties of temporary filling materials are as follows:
- Pulp friendly.
- Plasticity: Substances must be easy to move in and out of the pulp.
- Material must not inactivate drugs.
- Substance does not dissolve in the mouth.
- Material seals for up to two weeks.
- The substance is strong enough. But at the same time, it can be removed from the tooth cavity using a probe excavator or drilling.
Indications for the use of temporary filling materials: closure of the carious cavity, treatment of both complicated and uncomplicated caries. Often, such materials are used as medical or insulating linings already under a permanent filling.
Goalsapplications
Temporary filling in dentistry is carried out for the following purposes:
- Dressings in the treatment of caries and a number of its complications.
- Control fillings in the diagnosis of pulpitis and caries.
- Insulating pads.
- Filling temporary teeth.
- Temporary fixation of prosthetic elements.
- Temporary filling of root canals for therapeutic purpose.
Accordingly, each task has its own kind of material. But in dentistry, universal compositions for temporary fillings are also popular. We will get to know them all further.
Varieties
The most common types of temporary filling materials:
- Zinc sulfate cement. Also known as artificial dentin. Here "Dentin-paste", "Dentin for dressings", "Vinoxol" and so on stand out.
- Zinc-eugenol cement.
- Zinc phosphate cement.
- Polycarboxylate cement.
We will present each group of funds in more detail below.
There is another classification. According to it, temporary filling compositions are divided by their chemical composition into three groups:
- Zinc-eugenol cements.
- Eugenol-free cements.
- Light-curing materials.
Tools used
Let's list the tools for making temporary filling materials that the dentist uses in his work here:
- Powder itself for preparing a solution for a future temporary filling, distilled water, paste material, liquid solution depending on the selected material.
- Chrome spatula.
- Special dental glass.
- Strokers.
- Tweezers.
- Cotton balls.
Zinc sulfate cement
We continue to get acquainted with temporary and permanent filling materials. Artificial dentin is a white powder. The composition of the temporary filling material is as follows:
- Zinc Oxide - 70%.
- Zinc sulfate - 25%.
- Dextrin or kaolin - 5%.
As for zinc oxide, it provides good adhesion of temporary fillings to dental tissues. The remaining components are responsible for the strength and ductility of the material. To prepare such a temporary insulating filling, artificial dentin powder is diluted with distilled water.
The dentist acts here according to standard instructions:
- An artificial dentin powder is applied to the rough surface of the dental glass. It is diluted with 5-10 drops of distilled water.
- Then gently mix the powder with water with a spatula for 30 seconds.
- Before filling, the tooth cavity must be freed from saliva and dried.
- Next, the dentist takes the mass in one portion on the trowel and places it in the tooth cavity. The material is compacted with a cotton ball, and its excess is removed with a swab.
- After this procedure, the specialist proceeds toother clinical work.
It is important to note that the most suitable consistency for artificial dentin fillings is "thick sour cream". After 1-2 minutes after being placed in the tooth cavity, the mass solidifies. The doctor must remove excess dentin - the material is only in the dental cavity, and not on the mucous membrane of the gums or in the interdental space.
All zinc sulphate cements are removed from the dental cavity by lever-like movements of the probe or excavator. If such actions are undesirable or impossible, then the dentist uses a drill to remove the mass.
Dentine paste
This temporary filling material is used as a substance to close the tooth cavity for a certain period. "Dentin-paste" is a patented one-component remedy. It is a mass of white. It may have a pale pinkish or gray-yellowish tinge. Has a slight scent of clove oil.
It contains the following:
- Zinc oxide.
- White clay.
- Zinc sulfate.
- Clove and peach oils.
In the oral cavity, this material finally hardens in 1.5-2 hours. "Dentin-paste" is plastic, has good adhesion and water-repellent properties.
The dentist uses this material for temporary fillings as follows:
- On the rough surface of dental glasspaste is applied. Stir it with a spatula.
- The patient's tooth cavity is cleaned of accumulated saliva and dried.
- The material is placed into the tooth cavity with a trowel. The paste is then compacted with a cotton ball. Excess material is removed with a cotton swab.
This temporary filling is valued for its plasticity. The paste completely fills the cavity, does not let pathogenic microflora, chewed food, saliva into it. Why is it often used to seal the medicinal pad.
It is important that the dentist does not leave excess "Dentin Paste" on the papillae or in the interdental spaces. Since the material hardens only after 1.5-2 hours, the patient is released without waiting for the paste to completely harden. Dentist warns patient to avoid food and drink within two hours.
"Dentine paste" hardens when exposed to saliva. The latter speeds up the setting process of the material.
Vinoxol
"Vinoxol" is a two-component remedy. Accordingly, a powder based on zinc oxide and a liquid (a solution of polystyrene in guaiacol is supplied). This material for temporary filling is valued for its high strength, good adhesion, antiseptic effect.
The components of the product (40 g of powder and 10 g of liquid product) are stirred for 30 seconds, after which the composition is placed in the tooth cavity. Its complete hardening occurs in 3-4 hours. During this time, the patient should refusedrinks and snacks.
Dentists do not use "Vinoxol" as a lining before applying composite materials.
Zinc-eugenol cements
Temporary filling materials in this category are based on eugenol and zinc oxide. Inside, additional subcategories are distinguished:
- Proper zinc oxide-eugenol.
- Based on orthoethoxybenzoic acid.
- Reinforced zinc-oxide-eugenol (filler is added to their composition).
Zinc-oxide-eugenol filling materials are two-component. They consist of zinc oxide powder and purified eugenol (or clove oil, where 85% by weight is eugenol). To speed up the solidification of the mass, distilled water or acetic acid is added to the liquid component.
When kneading the mass, resinous zinc evangalate comes out. It binds the elements of zinc oxide into a pasty mass, which hardens over time. When exposed to moisture (in this case, the patient's saliva), this composition hardens quite quickly, becoming strong after 10 minutes.
Prepare the filling mass and apply it according to the above instructions for artificial dentine.
Reinforced zinc-oxide-eugenol materials-cements, respectively, are distinguished by slightly improved mechanical properties. 10-40% finely ground artificial or natural resins are added to the zinc oxide powder. Used for this rosin, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate-catalysts.
The liquid component of hardened zinc oxide-eugenol materials is the same eugenol, clove oil. A certain number of the above resins, a catalyst (in most cases acetic acid) and antibacterial components can be dissolved in it. The reaction of hardening here is similar.
To improve the properties of the above cements, 50-66% EVA (orthoethoxybenzoic acid) is added to the composition of the liquid component of the product. This addition allows you to significantly increase the strength of this filling material. Therefore, often zinc-oxide-eugenol cements with EVA are also indicated for fixing orthodontic constructions.
They are used in dental practice similarly to artificial dentin: dry and liquid components are mixed, placed in a saliva-free tooth cavity, compacted, excess material is removed.
Zinc phosphate fillings
As a temporary filling material, almost all varieties of these dental cements are used. Specialists use them in cases where a temporary filling needs to be placed for a long time. Zinc-phosphate masses protect the tooth cavity for 2-3 weeks.
Polycarboxylate materials
As for these cements, they are used both as temporary fillings and as spacers when filling with other materials. The method of making the mass here repeats the one described above for artificial dentin.
There are enough materials for temporary fillingslot. But the same requirements are imposed on their quality. The compositions should not only protect the open tooth cavity for a certain time, but also be safe for the patient.
