Dentistry - Composites and professional cleaning

Author

Composites and professional cleaning

pubbievoter@yahoo.com

2006-10-18, 4:25 pm

I just had a light-cured composite filling done on the buccal side of
#12 near the margin, which replaced an old composite done back in the
'80s that had deteriorated.

Question for Docs: When I have my professional cleanings done, I
always ask the hygenist to use a scalar rather than ultrasonic due to
sensitivity issues with the ultrasound. Is modern-day composite
material strong enough to withstand the use of the scalar or could it
be susceptible to damage, and would it be safer to use the ultrasound?
Thanks.

Mark & Steven Bornfeld

2006-10-18, 4:25 pm

pubbievoter@yahoo.com wrote:
> I just had a light-cured composite filling done on the buccal side of
> #12 near the margin, which replaced an old composite done back in the
> '80s that had deteriorated.
>
> Question for Docs: When I have my professional cleanings done, I
> always ask the hygenist to use a scalar rather than ultrasonic due to
> sensitivity issues with the ultrasound. Is modern-day composite
> material strong enough to withstand the use of the scalar or could it
> be susceptible to damage, and would it be safer to use the ultrasound?
> Thanks.
>

Near the margin of what?
Excellent to have a composite last upwards of 20 years!
Sensitivity can be greater or lesser with ultrasonic than by hand,
depending on many things, incl. how much water is used in the ultrasonic
(the water is a coolant and if not enough is used the heat can cause the
sensitivity), how heavy a hand the operator has, etc.
A well-placed composite resin filling should hold up nicely to either
hand or ultrasonic scaling, given a proper technique.

Steve

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

pubbievoter@yahoo.com

2006-10-18, 4:25 pm

Mark & Steven Bornfeld wrote:
> pubbievoter@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
> Near the margin of what?

Thanks for the reply, Steve. I meant, near the margin of the tooth and
the gumline.

> Excellent to have a composite last upwards of 20 years!
> Sensitivity can be greater or lesser with ultrasonic than by hand,
> depending on many things, incl. how much water is used in the ultrasonic
> (the water is a coolant and if not enough is used the heat can cause the
> sensitivity), how heavy a hand the operator has, etc.
> A well-placed composite resin filling should hold up nicely to either
> hand or ultrasonic scaling, given a proper technique.
>
> Steve

The bottom line of my question was, is composite strong enough to
withstand the scraping force of the hand-driven scalar tool and I
believe your answer is that it should be. My thinking was (maybe
incorrect) that ultrasound uses less force, pressure or whatever you
want to call it and might be better for cleaning a composite filling.
But you're saying that the technique of the hygenist is the more
important factor.

Another question; is composite filling as strong as natural tooth
enamel?

Thanks again.

> --
> Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
> http://www.dentaltwins.com
> Brooklyn, NY
> 718-258-5001

Mark & Steven Bornfeld

2006-10-18, 4:25 pm

pubbievoter@yahoo.com wrote:

>
> Mark & Steven Bornfeld wrote:
>
>
>
> Thanks for the reply, Steve. I meant, near the margin of the tooth and
> the gumline.
>
>
>
>
>
> The bottom line of my question was, is composite strong enough to
> withstand the scraping force of the hand-driven scalar tool and I
> believe your answer is that it should be. My thinking was (maybe
> incorrect) that ultrasound uses less force, pressure or whatever you
> want to call it and might be better for cleaning a composite filling.
> But you're saying that the technique of the hygenist is the more
> important factor.
>
> Another question; is composite filling as strong as natural tooth
> enamel?
>
> Thanks again.

Seems like it should be a simple question to answer, but not really.
Generally speaking, resin wears more rapidly than enamel. It is quite
likely that this filling is on or near the root surface though, and it
will probably wear no more rapidly than the dentin it is probably placed
in. Wear is (in any case) less of an issue at the gumline than it is on
the chewing surface. At the gumline you mostly only have to put up with
toothbrush abrasion, which should be minimal if you're brushing right.
And resins have improved so much in the past 20 years that I figure you
should be good for another 40 or 50 years with this one. ;-)

Steve
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001