Composite Materials in Dentistry

A self-curing resin used for temporary dental restorations.

Early acrylic resins had issues with activator systems, shrinkage, thermal expansion, and wear.

Dental restorative material strengthened with inorganic particles.

Composite materials are made of two or more parts with different properties, creating a combined material with unique traits.

Composite materials are categorized by the properties of their fillers (size, amount, composition) and handling characteristics.

Short-term dental fixes made with acrylic resin.

A problem with the sealing of dental restorations

A restorative dental material with a reinforced polymeric structure.

A metallic restorative material made from silver, tin, copper alloys, and mercury.

Amalgam is easy to use, but it's not aesthetically pleasing.

Amalgam has high strength and wear resistance but is not conservative.

Amalgam restorations require more tooth removal than other options.

Checking and adjusting the bite of a restoration using articulating paper.

Rubber dam or cotton rolls are used to isolate the restoration area from saliva.

Saliva contamination of etched enamel or dentin reduces bond strength with restoration material.

Contamination during insertion can degrade physical properties of the restoration.

A measure of a material's stiffness, showing how much it resists deformation under stress.

Time-dependent plastic deformation of a material under a constant load.

Plastic deformation of amalgam during its setting process.

Amalgam's tendency to deform plastically over time under static load.

The composition of amalgam affects its creep properties; gamma 2 in low copper increases creep.

A type of amalgam with lower creep than low copper amalgam, and generally stiffer.

Changes in a material's shape and size under heat or chemical reactions.

Corrosion can weaken amalgam, causing issues like ditches around the margin.

Creating a 90-degree angle at the junction of the cavity and tooth surface.

Features designed to prevent the restoration from dislodging during insertion.

Features that prevent dislodging when force is applied off-axis.

Essential retention features, often the first considerations in design.

The overall shape of the cavity preparation.

The measure in width & depth of the cavity prepared within the tooth.

Depth of the wall of the filling cavity, measured on the side of the tooth.

Maintaining the marginal ridges of the tooth during preparation to limit unnecessary removal.

Protective proteins in saliva are constantly present, have broad activity, and aid remineralization.

Reduced saliva production (illness, meds, radiation) increases caries susceptibility.

Removes plaque from teeth, but does not destroy all bacteria.

A film of bacteria on teeth, that can cause decay when certain foods are consumed.

Frequent exposure to sugary foods like sucrose strongly impacts the development of bacteria that cause cavities.

Restricting sugary foods can prevent decay by limiting biofilm growth.

Proper brushing and flossing are key to reducing caries onset and activity.

Mechanical removal of biofilm from teeth surfaces creates a clean enamel surface, allowing for remineralization.

Dental decay that affects the root surface of a tooth, often characterized by a U-shaped pattern and rapid progression due to the lack of enamel protection.

The process of enamel decay, from non-cavitated white spots to softened, chalky enamel that can be chipped away, taking approximately 18 months on smooth surfaces.

The process of rebuilding tooth enamel by incorporating calcium and phosphate ions from saliva, often aided by fluoride.

A form of dental decay where the caries process has stopped due to remineralization, often appearing as discolored brown or black spots.

The initial stage of tooth decay on smooth enamel surfaces, characterized by white spots (chalky white, opaque areas) visible when dry.

A white spot lesion, also known as non-cavitated enamel caries, is the earliest visible sign of dental decay on the smooth enamel surface of a tooth.

Non-cavitated enamel caries lesions are commonly found on the facial and lingual surfaces of teeth, especially when the tooth surface is dried.

The best way to prevent the progression of white spot lesions is through good oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing and flossing, a balanced diet, and fluoride use, which can contribute to remineralization.