Light-curing and chemical fillings

How is a light seal different from a regular one?

In fact, the term “light filling” is more popular among the people, but experts usually use other names: photopolymer, light-curing, heliopolymer are the most common of them. A light filling is a fairly plastic material, and thanks to ultraviolet light it is much easier for a specialist to carry out a filling. This is the main difference between a light filling and a regular one. In addition, you can choose many colors and shades for a light filling, which is why it is so often used in the treatment and restoration of teeth in the smile area. In short, the main advantages of a light filling are reliability, durability and high aesthetics. These qualities make light-based dental fillings one of the most sought after in the dental market.

Uniform darkening

If after a few days or weeks you suddenly see that the installed filling has evenly changed its color and has become, for example, pink or yellow, this most likely indicates a violation of your dentist’s instructions. Perhaps you did not listen to the advice of a specialist and ate some coloring vegetable or drank strong coffee without milk.

To eliminate this defect, be sure to seek help from your doctor. He will be able to polish the composite material and perform a high-quality cleaning, as a result of which the filling will again become its original color. After this, you will not be able to eat food containing dyes for some time. Otherwise, all the efforts of the master will be in vain.

Old fillings are also susceptible to staining. This may be due to the fact that the patient exposes them to too sudden temperature changes, that is, he may eat ice cream and drink hot tea at the same time. All this leads to changes in the volume of the filling: it can imperceptibly narrow and expand. As a result, microbes and food particles penetrate into the small cracks and cracks that form. This filling can either be replaced or polished.

Composition of the light seal

The vast majority of filling types are based on the use of a mixture of several materials. A filling made from a light-curing composite has a rather complex composition, which is partly why it costs more than its analogues.

Light seal materials

• Heliocomposite.
  The basis of a light filling, which under the influence of an ultraviolet lamp breaks down into radicals, due to which polymerization (hardening) of the filling material occurs.
• Filler.
  This can be silicon dioxide, glass ceramics, etc. The structure, color and area of ​​application of the filling depend on the type of filler.
• Connecting elements.

Features of conventional fillings, advantages and disadvantages

The phrase “conventional filling” refers to chemically cured filling material. The process of making such a filling involves mixing the filling composition. When the components of a conventional filling are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs, as a result of which the filling material becomes hard over a period of time. Chemical fillings not only help to seal a tooth affected by caries, in addition to performing the filling function, chemical fillings protect the tooth from the recurrence of the carious process, this happens due to fluoride, which is released by the chemical filling during the time it is worn. The advantages of conventional fillings also include the fact that their hardness is identical to the hardness of tooth enamel.

Conventional fillings differ from each other in the chemical components they contain. Chemical fillings may contain glass ionomer cement or a composite, which is a mixture of various compositions.

Advantages of composite fillings:

• composite fillings are not exposed to liquid agents, including saliva;
• Composite fillings have the highest degree of strength.

Advantages of glass ionomer cement fillings:

• glass ionomer cement fillings contain fluoride compounds;
• glass ionomer fillings fit most tightly to the surface of the teeth and have minimal chances of “peeling off”;
• Their glass ionomer cement fillings make it possible to fill molars with the highest quality.

Types of light seals

Some sources indicate that only anterior teeth can be restored using light-curing composite fillings, but this is incorrect information. Today, such filling is successfully used in all departments, except for the most inaccessible places (for example, “wisdom teeth”). All types of light fillings differ in the composition of the filler, which determines their characteristics.

Distinctive characteristics

A light filling should be compared with a chemical one. The latter is installed only in the case of treatment of one element, if a small damage cavity is noted. For anterior dental elements, the only correct option is light. This is explained by an excellent selection to match the natural tone of the tooth, so the beauty of the smile will be preserved.

In addition, emphasis should be placed on the fact that the light composition is established in a less painful way. Namely, the patient is protected from the unpleasant sounds of the drill, and also does not feel discomfort, on the contrary, as with a chemical composition.

Before and after installing light fillings

Installation of a light seal

Today, a light filling can be installed in almost any clinic. Installation has approximately the same number of steps as in the case of other types of fillings (with the exception of scanning with an ultraviolet lamp).

• Initial consultation, panoramic x-ray.
• Anesthesia.
• Preparation of damaged tooth tissues. During depulpation, the canals are treated and a temporary filling is installed.
• Placing a light filling (filling the area with filling material and giving it a primary shape).
• Polymerization of the filling under the influence of ultraviolet light.
• Grinding and finishing of the filling to achieve optimal shape and correct occlusal contact.

If after filling with a light filling your tooth hurts for more than three days or you feel discomfort when closing your jaws, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Find a trusted clinic where you can get a filling in Moscow on Startsmile.ru in the “Search for dentists” section

Who is susceptible to changes in the shade of the filling?

Unfortunately, some patients experience darkening of their fillings more often than others. There may be several explanations for this. The most common factors include, of course, smoking and poor oral hygiene. It is important to understand that teeth need to be cleaned of plaque not only in the morning and evening, but also after every meal.

The filling can also be affected by existing caries underneath or around it. If the professional does not completely clean the affected areas of the tooth, tooth decay can continue to destroy the tooth from the inside. Also, the filling may become stained due to frequent consumption of black tea, strong coffee, natural juices and red wine.

To prevent darkening, it is recommended to reduce the frequency of smoking and avoid foods and drinks that contain bright dyes. Also, do not neglect preventive examinations at the dental clinic, where you can periodically clean the oral cavity using any of the modern methods.

How much does it cost to install a light seal?

In order to most accurately tell you how much it costs to get a light filling, you need to understand what type of filling will be installed, as well as where exactly the treatment will take place. The cost of a light filling in a state clinic starts from 900 rubles. As a rule, this is a medium quality composite material intended for the restoration of chewing teeth. In private dental clinics in Moscow, the price of a light filling starts from 1,500 – 2,000 rubles. Light fillings for front teeth are more expensive: for aesthetic restorations, the price can exceed 3,000 rubles.

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

Light seal Vitremer “Pros”

Vitremer composite material is widely used in dentistry. It allows you to give a natural shine to your teeth during restoration. Thanks to the installation of this filling, strong contact with hard dental tissues is ensured.

In addition, Vitremer (light filling) has the following features:

• Provides optimal contact with dentin and composites;
• Allows you to choose a color identical to natural teeth;
• Possesses radiopacity;
• Increased resistance to acids;
• Solubility ability.

Light seal Revolution

Revolution photopolymers allow you to:

• Eliminate enamel defects; • Restore occlusal cusps and seal grooves; • Perform installation of composite and ceramic veneers; • Restore the stump of teeth and their cutting edges.

Questions and answers

Dentists identify a group of the most common questions:

• Caries under filling

1. How long after filling with light material can I eat? In order for the photopolymer to harden and last as long as possible, it takes two hours after the main manipulation. The process of complete stabilization of all chemical bonds lasts for 24 hours after filling.
2. Is it true that a light filling adheres well to the teeth and is almost invisible? The quality of a light filling is determined by the following factors: adhesive (liquid for washing the cavity) and exposure to an ultraviolet lamp (strengthens the ligament).

   Light seal

3. Is it possible to restore a filling? After some time, the filling can be easily restored. Installation of the photopolymer takes place in several stages (cleaning the cavity, administering anesthesia, working with a drill, grinding and polishing). For indirect restoration, ceramic crowns are used.
4. How is a light filling restored? To do this, a polymer material with a nano-file is installed. The duration of the procedure does not exceed one hour. And the result can correct most defects.
5. Is it possible to install a filling made of luminous material for children? Filling baby teeth and molars that have recently appeared with light material is not recommended. This is explained by the strong pressure on the young tooth, as well as the need for maximum cleaning of carious formations, which is not so easy for children.
6. What should not be done after installing a light filling? You should minimize the consumption of certain foods that stain the tooth surface (coffee drinks, strong black tea, beets, cherry and pomegranate juice). The main thing is not to use the mentioned products for five days after installation, so as not to spoil the result of the filling.

   Harmful foods for teeth

7. How is the cost of a light filling determined? The price is determined by the quantitative indicator of the material used and the level of restoration work. The service will be much more expensive if a complex procedure must be performed on the front dental elements.

You can visually familiarize yourself with the procedure of tooth restoration using a light filling by watching the video.