Requirements of Filling Materials Flashcards
Conditions which need restoring
- fracture
- caries
- erosion/abrasion
Fracture is caused by…
trauma
Caries is caused by…
bacteria
Erosion/abrasion is caused by …
- acids
- wear
Properties of enamel
- outer shell
- ceramic (apatite) which is hard but brittle
- relatively translucent
Properties of dentine
- inner layer
- made of composite (apatite and collagen polymer)
- softer and tougher than enamel
- more opaque too
Requirements of direct filling materials
- done chairside
- mouldable to cavity (initially fluid and plastic)
- harden and stregthen during setting (resist mechanical forces)
- bond to tooth
- tooth colour
- protect pulp how enamel and dentine would (temp and electrical changes)
- biocompatible
- mechanically stable (fatigue, stiffness etc)
What aesthetics are needed from fillings initially?
- patients want white appearance but enamel rarely white
- match shade with possible materials (not with amalgam, gold etc)
- enamel is translucent so opaque materials don’t look lifelife
What is needed long term from filling materials aesthetically?
- needs to be stable over time
- look the same if not much different from when it was placed
List factors that affect aesthetics of fillings over time
- roughness/gloss
- location
- stains
How does roughness affect aesthetics of fillings?
- scratches can lead to gloss loss
- micro-organisms colonise rough surfaces
How does location affect aesthetics of fillings?
- forces different anterior and posterior
- aesthetics more essential anteriorly
How do stains affect aesthetics of fillings?
- depends on material
- composites stained by food/drink
- amalgams may tarnish
Regarding thermal protection, what do materials need to be?
- insulators
- low conductivity and diffusivity in enamel and dentine to protect pulp from hot and cold
Are amalgam and gold insulators?
Solution?
- no - conductors
- in deep fillings, may need insulator cement
- acts as a barrier to pulp
Are composites insulators?
- yes
- cement may not be needed
- some dentists will use it though
List protective properties of filling materials
- non-toxic and non-irritant
- cariostatic
- adhere to tooth tissue