Tooth-colored composite fillings

Advantages:

1. Aesthetics - the shade/color of the composites can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth; is particularly well suited for use in front teeth or visible parts of teeth;

2. Bonding to tooth structure - composite fillings actually chemically bond to tooth structure, providing further support to the tooth;

3. Versatility in uses - in addition to use as a filling material for decay, composite fillings can also be used to repair chipped, broken or worn teeth;

4. Tooth-sparing preparation - sometimes less tooth structure needs to be removed compared with amalgams when removing decay and preparing for the filling;

Disadvantages:

1. Lack of durability - composite fillings wear out sooner than amalgams (lasting at least 5 years compared with at least 10 to 15 for amalgams); in addition, they may not last as long as amalgams under the pressure of chewing and particularly if used as the filling material for large cavities;

2. Increased time - because of the process to apply the composite material, these fillings can take up to 20 minutes longer than amalgams to place;

3. Additional visits - if composites are used for inlays or onlays, more than one office visit may be required;

4. Chipping - depending on location, composite materials can chip off the tooth;

5. Expense - composite fillings can cost up to twice the cost of amalgams;

Ceramics, which are made most often of porcelain, are more resistant to staining than composite resin material but are also more abrasive. This material generally lasts more than 15 years and can cost as much as gold.

Glass ionomer is made of acrylic and a specific type of glass material. This material is most commonly used for fillings below the gum line and for fillings in young children (drilling is still required). Glass ionomers release fluoride, which can help protect the tooth from further decay. However, this material is weaker than composite resin and is more susceptible to wear and prone to fracture. Glass ionomer generally lasts 5 years or less with costs comparable to composite resin.

Ex.12. Translate into English:

Видаляти, пломби, наліт, бактерія, стійкий до, захищати, переваги і недоліки, відновити, місце розташування, карієс; гниття зуба, визначати, чищення, подрібнення; здрібнювання, іономер, тривалість, вартість; ціна, змінність, жування, неправильно використовувати; зловживати; невідповідне призначення.

Ex.13. Answer the following questions:

1.Why are fillings inserted in teeth? 2. What are the most important steps of dentist to fill in the cavity? 3. What types of fillings do you know? 4. What are disadvantages of silver fillings? 5. What are advantages of tooth-colored composite fillings? 6. What is durability of silver fillings? 7. What are advantages of cast gold fillings?

Ex.14. Match the following words logically:

a) Vital, destroy, front, soft, entrance, pack in, heat

b) Back, cold, come out, hard, dead, preserve, exit

Ex. 15. Read the following text and comment upon it. Try to retell the text.