The quality of dental treatment largely depends on the material used to install the filling. Many patients have an erroneous opinion that it is appropriate to place a light filling anywhere, but experts have different opinions on this. Illuminated dental materials are considered ideal for placement on anterior or adjacent teeth. They have a number of advantages, and they have practically no disadvantages. Let's try to figure out what a light-cured filling is, its pros and cons.
Material features
Light fillings are made from a modern composite that polymerizes under the influence of a fairly strong light source. This material contains a light-sensitive substance that decomposes under the influence of ultraviolet radiation into radicals, which gives rise to the polymerization process in the filling itself.
Composites are:
- microfilled;
- macro-filled;
- minifilled;
- nanohybrid.
The size of the particles affects the filling rate: the larger they are, the higher it is, and this affects the strength of the filling material, and it is less susceptible to abrasion. However, the appearance in this case is several times worse than that of a filling with small particles of composites. But thanks to nanotechnology, it has become possible to solve this problem while maintaining good strength.
Pros and cons
The biggest advantage of a light filling is the plasticity of the material, which allows high-quality restoration, preserving all the features of the anatomy, and the doctor does not have to worry that the composite will harden during work. Thanks to the layer-by-layer application, the lost aesthetics of a smile are recreated. Such a material is able to perfectly penetrate into cracks and micropores, which provides excellent adhesion to the natural tissues of the problem tooth.
In addition, unlike chemical types of fillings, light is non-toxic and highly polishable. It should also be noted such an important advantage as a large number of shades, which allows you to choose the right one. Many dental clinics offer their patients the installation of light fillings.
This material also has disadvantages. A light-curing filling is completely unsuitable for installation in hard-to-reach places, and it cannot be used as a temporary one. This is explained not only by the properties of the material, but also by itsprice. But, having installed it, you can forget about visiting the dentist for a long time.
Lifetime
All dental materials have a certain lifespan. For a light filling, it is 3-5 years, but such an indicator does not indicate that it will last that long. Due to various factors, this period can be either longer or shorter. It depends most often on the characteristics of dental care, and on whether the recommendations of the dentist are followed.
The diet also affects the service life. The filling will last much less if you eat carbohydrate foods: starchy foods, sweets, etc., while plant-derived foods strengthen your teeth well.
Installation
Before a light-cured filling is placed, the teeth are first prepared. They carry out their initial processing, if necessary, expand the channels, clean them and seal them.
For the installation itself, a modern composite material is used, with the help of which modeling is carried out in order to restore a destroyed tooth. After that, it is exposed to ultraviolet light so that the seal hardens. The tooth is then polished, ground and varnished.
It is important to know that the material hardens rather quickly, and this can cause high stress inside the tooth and it can crack. Therefore, the photopolymer should be applied gradually, in layers. Light-curing materials are most oftenpackaged in cartridges or disposable syringes. This greatly simplifies the work of the dentist, because there is no need to mix all the components before installation. It is also safe and sterile.
You can install such a filling even during pregnancy, as it is not capable of harming either the expectant mother or her baby.
Very important point - when after the installation of the filling material can I eat? This should be done after 1-2 hours, only in this case the seal will last long enough. If a tooth starts to hurt after the installation of the light material, you should consult a doctor, because there is a high probability of a medical error.
Are light fillings dangerous for children?
Can light curing fillings be placed on young children? Many parents believe that such material is contraindicated for a child if he is not yet 12 years old. So why are light-cured fillings bad for children?
The fact is that such material can only be installed in conditions of absolute dryness, and in children, due to physiological characteristics, salivation is increased, and they often close their mouths. When installing a filling in such situations, complications arise - it can fall out, become leaky, which provokes the development of caries. In addition, a light-curing filling is capable of releasing substances that adversely affect the formation of permanent tooth germs.
Issue price
How much does a light curing filling cost? The price of the material depends ondisease progression. If the tooth is severely destroyed and is in the visible zone, then the doctor has a lot of work to do. The cost of establishing a light seal depends on the amount of work and the amount of material used. Therefore, the sooner the patient sees a doctor, the lower the price of the service will be in the end.
Price policy also depends on how experienced the doctor who installs the light filling will be. The higher his professionalism, the higher the cost of his work, while the patient receives a guarantee that the restored tooth will last several times longer.
On average, the cost of a light polymerization filling is 800-3500 rubles. In severe cases, the price increases significantly. In addition, if the installation is carried out on the front teeth, then the cost of the work will also be rather big.
Light-cured filling: reviews
Judging by the reviews of people who installed a light filling, it is completely invisible in the oral cavity. If the doctor has done his job professionally, then no one will even be able to guess which tooth the composite is on. Such material has long proved itself on the positive side, and patients are very satisfied with the results of treatment. Negative reviews, if any, are related to the cost of installing a light seal.
Conclusion
Thus, to make your smile aesthetically attractive, you need to choose the right dental material. But do not forget that it is important not only thatlight curing filling or not. An important role in this case is played by the qualification of a dentist, since the final result largely depends on the correct treatment: the filling will last a very long time, and the tooth under it will cease to collapse.
