TOOTH-COLORED RESTORATIONS

The development of the condition

Food remnants stick to the surface of the teeth. If this is not removed continuously (by brushing), bacteria will multiply in the dental plaque, and breakdown the food remnants. The acids that the bacteria create during the breakdown process, will start to demineralize the tooth's enamel. The process spreads from the tooth surface across the enamel, destroying the softer dentin layer, and spreads to the pulp. Caries may occur on the occlusal, approximal, or gingival surface. It may also form near leaking restorations, inlay margins and crown margins.

Incipient caries is hard to identify visually, because the white, opaque discoloration will only occur on the enamel surface. Only a dental examination will be able to identify it. At alater stage of the process, consumption of sweets and inhalation of cold air will result in pain. At this stage, the patient might also identify a black hole in the tooth. In this case, the patient should immediately consult the dentist, because with prompt treatment, the tooth can be saved with a simple restoration. However, if the tooth reacts with sharp pain to both hot and cold sensations, causes discomfort, especially, during the night, or dull pain during the entire day, then the problem can only be solved by root canal therapy.

Preparation for the procedure

A detailed dental examination and digital x-ray of the affected tooth and the surrounding area precedes every treatment. During the following consultation the treatment plan, type of anesthesia, type of materials used, possible complications, and postoperative care are explained in detail. Eating is recommended before any dental treatment, because the patient cannot eat for 3-4 hours after the administration of the anesthetic, or until the numbness last.

The procedure

It begins with local anesthesia, which means injection of 2% Lidocaine into the appropriate area. About ten minutes after the injection, the dentist cleans the tooth of unnecessary decayed parts with a bur. If the depth of the cavity warrants it, we underline the tooth to avoid subsequent sensitivity. In effect, we place an "insulation" between the filling and the tooth structure in order to terminate the "heat bridge." Following this, we etch the surface for 40 seconds, and then after applying a thin adhesive layer, we build the filling up in layers. We light cure these layers with a UV lamp, because this causes the filling material to harden. We shape the surface of the filling with a bur until its shape becomes comfortable. Next, we polish the finished surface. We only make tooth-colored restorations in our clinic. This means, that the fillings' color will exactly match the color of the tooth, making it unnoticeable that the tooth has been restored.

Post-restoration complications

After the procedure, the patient might experience hot-cold sensitivity, but this should gradually diminish within 1-2 weeks. This sensitivity occurs because the tooth's interior is made up of foreign, non-natural, materials. Chewing sensitivity might result when the restoration is too high, because this causes premature contact thereby overloading the tooth. This condition can be adjusted by a dentist. The injection site might be sensitive, but this sensitivity will spontaneously disappear within a couple of days. The restoration, along with the tooth, will eventually be discolored because of coffee, tea and food dyes.

Fees

10.000 - 15.000 HUF > Euro
Charge for examination and consultation: 4.000 HUF > Euro

The final price will depend on how many surfaces are touched by the cavity, as well as the amount of material used.

Appointments: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 8 pm.
Telephone: + (36 1) 266 7766