Photopolymerizers and photopolymers in dentistry: the price of materials for curing and polymerization lamps

Chemicals used 15-20 years ago filling materials had a number of disadvantages: they required quick work, the doctor did not have the opportunity to form a high-quality marginal adhesion to the tooth, when the fillings hardened, they had a rough surface and low aesthetic quality.

These disadvantages are devoid of modern light-cured composites or photopolymers, for which photopolymerizers are used.

Benefits of using in dental practice

A feature of photocomposites is that they are in an inactive plastic state. Their storage is carried out in light-proof syringes-dispensers. During the modeling of the filling, the doctor can take his time and do the job with high quality, since the material retains its soft shape. It is hardened by direct exposure to the rays of a special dental lamp - a photopolymerizer. As a result, a chain reaction is triggered, and a portion of the composite acquires a solid structure.

Light-curing materials have several advantages:

1. Convenient to work, the simulation time can be up to 8-10 minutes. They allow high-quality filling, form a tight attachment of the composite to the tooth, and create the correct anatomical shape of tubercles and fissures.
2. Provides a high aesthetic appearance of the restoration, allow you to simulate enamel and dentine due to a certain transparency and haze of different types of material.
3. Have a smooth surface, do not cause inconvenience to the patient.
4. Life timephotopolymer filling with high-quality performance, it can reach 10-15 years.

Light-curing composites have the following composition:

1. Monomer - the main substance, which is in an inactive state, associated with the inhibitor.
2. Thickener, giving the material a plastic state.
3. Excipients (filler, solvent), which determine the visual and physical qualities of the finished filling (color, opacity, transparency, strength, fragility).

Under the influence of the ultraviolet rays of the polymerization lamp in the photopolymer, a polymerization reaction begins, lasting from 10 to 40 seconds. The resulting substance has a solid structure, the required shade and transparency.

Types of photopolymer materials

Light-curing fillings have a huge number of varieties, each of which has its own indications for use.

By service life they are divided into:

1. Temporary - after polymerization, they remain solid, but can be easily removed with a dental instrument. Used to treat deep caries, pulpitis, periodontitis. Representative - "Clip", "Clip-F" (Voco, Germany).
2. Permanent - retain physical and visual properties for several years. Applicable for dental restorations (seals, veneers, tabs). Representatives - Herculite, Charizma (Kerr, Germany).

By chemical composition, they are distinguished:

1. Actually composites.
2. Light-curing cements. They differ in a faster curing time, but at the same time they are indifferent to moisture (saliva), they release fluoride and calcium ions into the dentin of the tooth. Representative - "Vitremer"(3M ESPE, USA).

By working properties:

1. A group with high transparency, but at the same time increased fragility. The qualities are determined by the reduced filler content and the increased amount of solvent. These include Estelite (Japan), used for restoration of anterior teeth.
2. High-strength photopolymers, but with increased haze. Used for filling the chewing group. Representative - "Filtek"(3M ESPE, USA).

There is also a group of light-curing materials for children. It has different colors (pink, blue, green), which is positively perceived by the child, emits fluoride ions, does not contain toxic substances. The most common material is Twinky Star (Voco, Germany).

What devices are used to work with photopolymers

Working with light composites is impossible without a photopolymerizer - a special lamp that emits ultraviolet rays. The device has a trigger mechanism, a timer and a nozzle that allows the beam of light to be conducted locally.

Curing lamps are divided into large groups:

1. LED - compact and easy to use, run on batteries (Elitedent Q4 - from RUB 20,000, Bluephase Style - from RUB 65,000).
2. Halogen - require periodic recharging from the electrical network (Optilux 501 - from 40,000 rubles).
3. Dental - used in laboratories for the manufacture of dentures (Ivoclar ViVadent - from 200,000 rubles).

Features of the use of photopolymers

When working with light-curing materials, you must adhere to several rules:

1. Working with composites should be carried out in isolation from moisture - saliva, water supplied to a turbine or micromotor. For this reason, it is difficult for them to restore carious cavities that penetrate under the gum. For such cases, it is recommended to use light cements (Vitremer).
2. The choice of color and shade must be selected in daylight, if possible, turn off additional light sources.
3. For better adhesion of the composite to dentin and enamel, short-term treatment with a 9-10% solution of phosphoric acid is recommended. After thorough rinsing and drying, the tooth is processed adhesive, which is a liquid form of the composite and penetrates into the dentinal tubules and tubules. Filling the cavity with filling material should be done in several portions, illuminating each for 20-40 seconds.
4. The ultraviolet rays of the polymerizer are dangerous for a person with a retinal burn (up to its detachment). Therefore, it is mandatory when working with composites to use protective shields or orange goggles.

The market offers a huge selection of photopolymers and photolamps, it is constantly expanding, new light fillings appear, and their technological qualities are improving.

Filling composite "Filtek Z250" ("Filtek Flow") is universal - it has a rich range of colors and durability, so it can be used for any restorations. Materials "Estelite", "Charizma" have a narrower functionality.

When choosing a material when buying, it is worth considering the specialization of a dental outpatient clinic - for a multipurpose photocomposite is suitable for a wide-profile clinic, for a therapeutic office - several different software properties.

When choosing a polymerizer, it is better to focus on the opinion of the attending physician, on his personal preferences. The functions of all versions of light lamps are absolutely identical; the convenience of the device for the dentist is of decisive importance for the quality work.