Tag: Direct Resin Restorations

  • Customized Bacterial testing for Decay sensitivity

    Customized Bacterial testing for Decay sensitivity

    Prior to fluoridation of public drinking water, tooth decay was widespread. To date, the epidemic of dental decay has dropped off dramatically. That said, in highly susceptible patients, it seems that no amount of careful brushing and flossing, professional hygiene care, fluoride, and diet control keep the new cavities from recurring.  In recent times a…

  • Early decay visible with enhanced Digital X-rays

    Early decay visible with enhanced Digital X-rays

    Conventional film X-rays would require chemical processing and did not have the capability of changing contrast and gain. With digital X-rays, we can see the earliest of decays, and thus treat decay conservatively.     This patient was seen in our hygiene department for routine cleaning and check-up.  The ultra low-radiation exposures did not initially…

  • Decay under amalgam filling is typical

    Decay under amalgam filling is typical

          General dentistry in the United States has been trending toward the discontinued use of silver-mercury alloy fillings, aka, amalgams. My own preference for tooth-colored resins is for several reasons, the most obvious being that as an aesthetic dentist, I like teeth to look like teeth.  Additionally, resin is not affected by temperature…

  • White dental fillings less sensitive when restored under rubber dam

    White dental fillings less sensitive when restored under rubber dam

          One of the most challenging types of  “simple dentistry” is to accomplish a direct resin restoration (aka, white filling) that looks good, functions well, and seals out bacteria from re-entering the side of the tooth.   Only a few years , which had been somewhat sensitive since being placed.  An X-ray of the…