Glass ionomers are used in areas not subject to heavy chewing pressure since they have quite a low resistance to fracture. This material is best applicable in small non-load bearing fillings i.e. areas between the teeth and the roots of the teeth. Dentists remove less of the tooth structure when preparing the tooth for a glass ionomer and therefore needs only smaller filling compared to that of an amalgam.
Glass ionomers can be described as translucent tooth-colored materials. It is a mixture of acrylic acid and fine glass powders. These materials are able to release small amounts of fluoride to lessen the possibility of tooth decay in high-risk patients. Although there have been reports of patients succumbing to allergic reactions when in contact with glass ionomers, these incidences are quite few and glass ionomers can be considered as safe for the majority of dental patients.
Source: Mainstreet Dental
dental treatment, fillings, glass ionomers, materials
There are different materials used in dental restoration, which are the following:
1. Amalgam
Amalgam is one of the strongest materials used in dental restoration, which is basically a mix of several metals, among them silver, tin, mercury, and copper. There has been some controversy over the safety of amalgam, but it is only purely speculation and has not been supported by any kind of scientific background.
2. Porcelain
This is a more expensive material, which is chosen because of it’s similar hue to the teeth. However, under certain circumstances, it may break.
3. Composite resin
Made out of acrylic plastic material combined with glass or quartz fillers, composite resin is relatively sturdy, but it’s greatest weakness is its propensity to discolor faster.
4. Gold and base metal alloys.
These are very sturdy, but the downside is a metallic sheen that might serve as an aesthetic deterrent to patients.
Having a complete set of teeth is truly something to proud of but this doesn’t mean your teeth are sparkling white. Many factors can influence the overall look and appearance of teeth such as color, alignment and even the overall bite that can be influenced by disease or trauma. A sudden blow to your jaw can knock a tooth loose or several of them in more extreme cases along with certain diseases young in life that can leave your pearly whites not as white as you would want them to be.
Badly decayed teeth can be fixed with a root canal and depending on the stability of the offending tooth, either be pulled out and replaced by implants or repaired with a jacket or crown. Discolored teeth can be made white by applying veneers that are ceramic compounds stuck onto the teeth that can be made to look whiter that your original teeth. Bleaching is said to be more of a continuing process if one wants to maintain the whiteness of their teeth so veneers and sealants do a better job. One simply has to get in touch with a dental restoration specialist(a fancy name for a cosmetic dentist) so you can get the full picture on how to bring the smile back to those pearly whites you so need everyday.
Discoloration, disease, Porcelain Veneer, Root Canals, Teeth Whitening, Trauma