How long can you not eat after having a light filling installed?

The search for new high-quality materials for filling damaged teeth has been going on, perhaps, throughout the entire history of the development of dentistry. Dental clinics are gradually abandoning the crumbling and short-lived dental cements that were used to fill the teeth of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers - because they have been replaced by the latest photopolymer materials. Why a light polymerization filling is good, what kind of material it is - every person should know, because few people in life manage to avoid the filling procedure.

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.

Indications and contraindications

There are a number of indications for which the use of photopolymer materials is used. The main ones:

• tooth fracture;
• change in color of enamel that cannot be bleached:
• significant defects of tooth enamel;
• the presence of large fillings in the cervical area;
• noticeable interdental gaps;
• the need for minor correction of the position of the teeth;
• damage to the crown by a maximum of forty percent.

Even if there are indications for installing a filling, a specialist may refuse to carry out the necessary treatment. Among the main contraindications for installation are the following:

• bruxism;
• severe destruction of the front teeth;
• active development of caries;
• teeth subjected to intensive fluoride treatment;
• lack of proper oral hygiene.

Some of the contraindications are classified as conditional. Over time, they can be eliminated, and, accordingly, there will no longer be barriers to installing fillings made of photopolymer materials.

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.

What is the advantage of installing a photo seal?

The method of installing photo fillings on teeth is the most modern and involves the use of composite light-curing materials. Curing occurs under the influence of the rays of a special ultraviolet lamp. Among the main advantages of a photo seal over a chemical seal are the following:

• Precise restoration of relief and shape even with maximum tooth destruction.
• Obtaining the desired cosmetic effect by selecting the required shade of the filling. The photofill consists of several layers that replicate the natural tissues of the tooth. When a photopolymer filling is installed correctly, it is almost impossible to distinguish it from a tooth.
• The structure of the photo seal is very strong and resistant to cracks; it forms the strongest bond with the enamel.
• In case of chipping or delamination of a photo seal, there is the possibility of its adhesive correction without the need for complete replacement.

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.

Why everyone wants only photocomposite fillings: advantages of the material

Even conservative patients understand which filling is better - photopolymer or conventional. The popularity of composites is explained by the following advantages:

1. Quick installation. Crowns or veneers are not placed immediately. You need to visit the doctor several times. Photopolymers are made immediately in the office and installed in one step.
2. Minimal dental preparation. The use of these composites does not require preparation. They can be installed even on chipped surfaces due to the plasticity of the material.
3. Density and strength. Using photopolymers, an ideal surface is created. After treatment, you can chew any food, including hard vegetables, fruits, nuts, caramel, etc. You can eat an hour after filling.
4. High aesthetic qualities. Thanks to the rich palette of shades, the doctor will select or mix the most suitable color option. The restored tooth looks like a natural one.
5. Safety. The composition is hypoallergenic and does not emit toxic substances. These are the undoubted advantages of the material, which allow it to be used in pediatric dentistry.
6. Optimal price-quality ratio. This method of treatment is available to patients of different age categories, although it is more expensive than fillings made from amalgam or cement. And the installation speed and service life will please everyone.

How else is the material different? It does not cause side effects, adheres well to enamel and dentin, does not affect the internal structure of the tooth and does not interfere with its functionality. According to patient reviews, there is an insignificant difference between the filling and the enamel, but it does not interfere with speaking, biting and chewing.

When it comes to dental restoration, there is no better material to look for than photopolymers. The material is also indispensable for teeth performing the chewing function. Since they bear a lot of load, high-strength composites will be very useful.

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

How to install a photopolymer filling

The installation of a photopolymer filling is carried out in an equipped dental office, in several key stages:

1. Initial appointment – ​​the doctor examines the patient’s oral cavity, assesses the current condition of the teeth, and decides on the need for filling;
2. Damaged tissue is removed - a comprehensive cleaning of the area is carried out for the subsequent installation of a filling;
3. Selecting the color of the material – the filling material is selected according to a special scale; it must match the color of the natural enamel of the patient’s other teeth;
4. Preparing the tooth for filling - the cleaned tooth is dried and treated with special compounds to improve the quality of adhesion to the polymer;
5. Installing a filling - the doctor gradually applies a photopolymer composition into the space to be filled, securing each layer with ultraviolet exposure;
6. Treatment of a hardened filling - the anatomical shape is adjusted, the bite is restored and the surface is polished.

The installed photopolymer filling does not require special care. Moreover, in the first days after installation, doctors recommend refraining from drinking staining water and food, and also reducing the mechanical load on the area of ​​the installed filling during eating. Answering the question: after installing a light-curing filling, how long after can you eat? Experts note that a full meal can be taken 2-3 hours after the procedure.

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.

Life time

The service life of photopolymer fillings largely depends on the quality of the material and the competence of the specialist. In addition, the patient himself is able to both shorten and significantly extend the service life of the filling.

The materials used in the filling process can be either highly durable or less reliable. Provided that a high-quality composite is used, it can last up to seven years.

There are cases when the filling falls out almost immediately after its installation. There may be several reasons for this. It is possible that when filling, the doctor made a mistake, as a result of which the material was not securely fixed. The most common cause is adhesion failure due to saliva or liquid.

Find out why a tooth hurts after filling

In such cases a guarantee is issued. Within a year after the filling is installed, the patient can apply for a repeat procedure. There is no charge for the service.

It is also possible that the patient simply did not follow all medical recommendations. In this case, you also need to seek help from a specialist. It is advisable to give preference to those clinics that have only positive recommendations. In this case, the risk of the filling falling out will be minimal.

Prosthetics using photopolymers

Large fillings are called microprostheses; they help restore the complete appearance of a damaged tooth.

If the dental crown is destroyed, but the root remains, you can insert a special pin and build up photocomposite material on it. A small miracle occurs: a man-made dental crown is born. For such direct reconstruction as tooth augmentation with photopolymer, the price will be lower than for indirect prosthetics.