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.

Key types of dental fillings

Glass ionomer - contain a large percentage of fluorine ions. Provides prevention of recurrent carious damage. A more “advanced” alternative to cement fillings, but they are considered less durable than those made from photopolymer material. Used for filling baby teeth in children;
Light-curing composite or photopolymer fillings are brought to the required level of transparency using a special lamp. High-quality material that imitates natural enamel in its color, transparency, and roughness. This material is easy to use from the point of view of plasticity. The optimal solution for those who want to inexpensively and reliably fill a tooth so that it looks as natural as possible;
Ceramic – made of pure ceramics, they are considered one of the most expensive treatment options;
Plastic - they are based on special medical plastic, they are used as temporary solutions for filling gaps in teeth;
Silicate-phosphate or cement fillings are most often installed as budget options. They are distinguished by good marginal fit, but are not ideal in their aesthetic characteristics.

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.

Restoration of teeth using light fillings at VENSTOM dentistry in Moscow

In our dental clinic in Moscow - "VENSTOM" - dental restoration is carried out using high-quality photopolymer (light) filling materials from the world's leading manufacturers. Light seals made from such materials have a high level of aesthetics and maximum strength and reliability.

Dental treatment and installation of light fillings in our clinic are carried out in conditions that are comfortable for the patient and by experienced specialists who have the necessary knowledge base and experience to carry out high-quality dental restoration!

Do you still have questions about light fillings and dental treatment? Just dial the contact phone number of our clinic or write to the interactive chat on our website! We will honestly answer your questions and offer the widest range of dental services for the health of your teeth and the beauty of your smile!

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

Installation process

Let's look at how dentists install a liquid filling:

First you need to thoroughly treat the affected unit with a special disinfectant acid. This measure is necessary in order to completely destroy pathogenic microflora from the tooth. Next, you need to wait about 3 minutes for the enamel to dry.
The tooth is coated with an alcohol-containing substance, this allows the remaining acid to be completely removed.
Using a special syringe, a liquid filling is “poured” onto the tooth. Its composition penetrates into the deep layers of the tooth, thereby protecting the unit from further proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. This must be done quickly so that the substance does not begin to harden from exposure to ordinary light.
The filling is dried under a blue lamp; it is also sensitive to ordinary light. It is for this reason that it is stored exclusively in dark containers.
At the end of the procedure, the unit is subjected to surface grinding and polishing.

The service life of a kind of dental sealant is from 5 years. If you want to install such a filling, please contact private medical centers.

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.

Composite filling - what does it mean?

The composite material has a heterogeneous structure and consists of two or more components with different properties. Their combination allows you to use the optimal capabilities of each component.

The consistency of a composite filling can be plasticine or liquid, which makes it easier to fill carious cavities. The material is then cured under the light of a curing lamp, and the excess is sanded down and removed by the dentist. As a result, the restored tooth looks healthy.

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

Advantages of a composite filling

Composite fillings are valued by patients and dentists because they:

fit tightly to the tooth tissue
durable - very rarely damaged
aesthetically pleasing - composite fillings perfectly match the shape and color of the tooth being restored, which gives it a natural appearance
safe - composite is a material with high resistance to cracking and other damage. When forming it, the dentist does not have to remove a significant part of the healthy tooth tissue.
inexpensive - the cost is at the average price level of dental procedures.

However, it is worth remembering that composite fillings can have their own disadvantages and are not suitable for large cavities.

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.

Nanocomposite filling - an improved version of a light filling

Nanocomposite materials are a special mixture that is made from inorganic fillers - surfactants and an organic matrix.

Zirconium silicate compounds, strontium or barium glass, quartz, salts and oxides of heavy metals, and polymer particles are used as fillers. The basis of the organic matrix is low molecular weight substances containing methacrylates and elements of epoxy resins. Thanks to the combination of ultra-fine filler particles, the material has:

plasticity;
low shrinkage rate;
high level of strength;
shine and the ability to preserve it for a long time.

Nanocomposites are used in various areas of dentistry:

filling cavities that have formed from progressive caries;
enamel erosion;
elimination of defects in the form of a “wedge” at the base of incisors and canines;
correction of the shape and shade of teeth;
“camouflage” (hiding) of diastemas and three large spaces between teeth;
restoration of ceramic dentures, elimination of chips and cracks.

The use of nanocomposite materials in dental practice allows specialists to restore damaged teeth with greater efficiency. At Implantmaster, specialists use the latest version of light filling - nanocomposite. Not only different classes of carious cavities are eliminated, but also various aesthetic defects - cracks, chips, diastemas, pigmented enamel. The disadvantages of nanocomposites include their high price, but this is compensated by good aesthetics and quality of the material.

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.

Pros and cons of light-based dental fillings

This type of filling has both advantages and disadvantages. Overall, this is an improved treatment option, better than outdated composite materials. As for the positive aspects, the main ones are:

high plasticity of the material, which allows you to give the filling the necessary anatomy;
absolute harmlessness – absence of toxic components in the composition;
the ability to select the optimal shade that matches the color of the teeth;
stability of the result over time;
absence of any discomfort after placing the filling;
the possibility of building up the coronal part, even if more than half is destroyed;
virtually instant hardening under an ultraviolet lamp.