Current Trends in RESTORATIVE Dentistry

Current Trends in Dentistry

• Fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) are a new class of materials used in restorative treatments for carious lesions or replacing a missing tooth.
• Digital fiber optic transillumination imaging is a new technique that combines a fiber optic tool with a digital camera to improve cavity detection, using near-infrared light instead of harsh white light.

Advanced Technologies

• Healozone is a technology that enables dentists to target tooth decay with ozone, killing bacteria and adding minerals to the tooth in 20-40 seconds.
• Self-adhesive composites simplify application and provide reliable adhesion to dental hard tissues without prior conditioning or adhesive system.
• Curodont™ Protect is a remineralizing dental gel that prevents dental cavities and builds protection against tooth sensitivity.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• DIAGNOdent is a laser-based device that detects tooth decay in its earliest stages, with a 90% success rate, using a safe, low-energy laser light.
• DIAGNOdent detects very early cavities that may not show up on x-rays, but has limitations, such as being less accurate for certain types of decay and being affected by stains or restorations.
• Chemo-mechanical caries removal (CMCR) uses chemical agents to soften dental tissues before removing infected tissue.

Dental Air Abrasion

• Dental air abrasion is a drill-less technique that removes early, small areas of tooth decay and performs other procedures, generating no heat, pressure, or vibration.
• Air abrasion has advantages, such as reducing the need for anesthesia, preserving healthy tooth tissue, and being relatively painless, but has limitations, such as not being suitable for deep cavities or cavities between teeth.

Enamel Microabrasion

• Enamel microabrasion is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that whitens teeth, is minimally invasive, effective, and quick, but has limitations, such as being limited to certain applications and not providing a permanent solution.

Comparison of Technologies

• Dental air abrasion vs micro enamel abrasion: air abrasion is more suitable for removing small areas of decay, while micro enamel abrasion is a cosmetic procedure for whitening teeth.

Newly Improved Light Cure

• Newly improved light cure has advantages, such as curing composite filling even with thick increments, being safe for pulpal health, and allowing operators to adjust light intensity, but is expensive and has limited supply.

TheraCal

• TheraCal has advantages, such as releasing calcium, promoting healing, and forming a protective seal, but has a disadvantage, such as potentially causing pulpal inflammation.

Color Green Caries Indicator

• The newly enhanced color green caries indicator is easy to remove and helps detect caries, but has limitations, such as potentially leading to excessive dentin removal if not used correctly.

Matrix Systems

• Matrix systems, such as circumferential and sectional matrices, are used to achieve strong contact points in Class II restorations, maintaining consistent space between teeth and ensuring proper contact between teeth and restoration.