It was a small chip on a front tooth. It was too big to ignore and too small to simply polish. Now what? “What do you think I should do?” Sandy asked. In her particular case, a tooth-colored composite filling would do the trick. It would restore the tooth to its original form and function, and it would feel smooth so as not to irritate the lip or tongue. Just as importantly, it would look beautiful.
But during the appointment, Sandy had more concerns. “I am afraid it will look too big or feel bulky.” “How will it stay in?” “Are there needles involved?”
We reviewed the process. When performing composite fillings, or bondings as they are commonly called, we use an etch; it is a mild phosphoric acid. This cleans the tooth and leaves a rough surface.
Why rough? This way the material has more surface area to grab onto, and more effectively sticks to the tooth. If you look at the etched surface under the microscope, it would resemble a lunar surface.
The dentin has tubules that are clean and open. You may think of them as pores on your skin. You would want them to be unclogged. This way when the bonding agent, or adhesive is applied, it seals the dentin and adheres well.
Then, we layer the composite material, which is a moldable paste. Once shaped appropriately, a curing light of focused blue spectrum is shined on the tooth, so as to cure it or harden it.
These high-quality materials are biomimetic. They look and behave like tooth structure. They expand and contract at the same rate, and the way they behave under light is almost identical. This material combines beauty, strength, and biocompatibility.
Finally, we polish the tooth, making it as smooth as glass. And, no — we do not need to make this tooth numb. Therefore, no needles.
Sandy was ready. We talked the talk, then walked the walk. It all worked out so beautifully — just as described. When the procedure was completed, she asked with surprise: “That’s it? Wow!” Then she ran her tongue across the surface. “Perfect!” she exclaimed. Finally, she looked in the mirror. “That looks amazing!”
Quick, easy, and most importantly, painless. That’s the way it always should be. What a wonderful experience. Best of all, there are no restrictions. Since there is no numbness, Sandy can eat or drink right away. And, we all have peace of mind now that this tooth is reinforced; it won’t break down any further, and it looks and feels great!
* Biomimetic: It originally meant developing any new material or technology that mimics nature or is obtained from nature. In biology, biomimetics relates to harnessing bioinspired materials or molecules, either synthetic replacements of natural structures or derivations from living organisms that simulate biological mechanisms.
Jimmy Kilimitzoglou, DDS, FACD,
FPFA, DABOI, MAGD, FAAID, FICOI
ESI Healthy Dentistry
42 Terry Road, Smithtown, NY 11787
Tel (631) 979 7991 / Fax (631) 979 7992
dental@esihealthydentistry.com
www.esihealthydentistry.com
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