Almost every person has at least one seal. They are used to protect the tooth from decay. After all, if there is a hole in it, then pieces of food will accumulate there, leading to decay. And this is the reason for its destruction, which is desirable not to allow. For this, a light seal is often installed. How much can I eat after that? The answer to this question is presented in the article.
Benefits
Installing a light seal has its advantages in comparison with other types:
- Due to the excellent plasticity and hardening under ultraviolet light, the doctor can slowly restore the damaged crown, restoring even the damaged tooth.
- The material has little toxicity, due to which it is used at different ages and for various problems with internal organs.
- The composite can be polished, so you get a perfect smooth surface.
- Due to the large number of colors, light fillings do not spoil the aesthetic appearance.
- The service life is 5 years.
Although these seals have many advantages, they are not used to seal hard-to-reach areas. Composite has a high cost compared to other types. It cannot be installed as a temporary option.
Types of fillings
Light fillings are for anterior teeth and for molars:
- In the creation of the first type, composites with small particles are used so as not to spoil the beauty of the smile and preserve its aesthetic appearance.
- For molars, the compositions are made of a composite with large particles. For these teeth, functionality is considered important so that they are stable when chewing food.
Whatever type of seal is installed, it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations for dental care that the doctor will provide. Light fillings, like others, need a careful attitude, and then they will last a very long time.
Indications and contraindications
It is possible to restore a tooth with a photopolymer filling in different cases, and this may not necessarily be caries. There are other diseases due to which hard tissue is destroyed, and when this material can be used. You can put a light seal when:
- caries in different parts of the dentition;
- pathologies in the cervical region or root part;
- the appearance of pigmentation, which cannot be eliminated in any other way;
- various disadvantages of non-carious origin.
There are no contraindications to the use of such a seal. It can be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding. The nuance is only individual intolerance, that is, an allergy to the material, but this is very rare. Before installing a seal, consult a specialist.
Installation
First, the dentist performs standard procedures that are used for other types of treatment. The tooth is cleaned, and then the fillings are performed. Composite material is taken and the lower part of the tooth is modeled. Then a UV lamp is applied to the composition for better polymerization and solidification.
Then the tooth is polished, polished, treated with a special varnish for protection. If a sealed tooth hurts during the day, then you need to see a doctor again, because, probably, something went wrong. After the procedure, you must follow the doctor’s recommendations regarding oral care. Careful attitude extends the life of the seal.
Food Time
How much can I eat after a light seal? There is no consensus on this issue. Some dentists believe that after the procedure you can immediately eat your favorite food without consuming only coloring pigments for 2 days. This is due to their detrimental effect on the teeth.
And others, how much do you think, after how much is there after a light seal? Other experts believe that it is necessary not only to limit the coloring products, but also not to eat or drink for 2 hours. This decision is explained by the fact that even after light irradiation, a light seal is considered vulnerable for some time and has high permeability. This can damage its color.
Within 2 hours, the tooth remains sensitive, which may cause problems in the form of aching pain. Often such a symptom is detected in those people who have canals filled and killed the nerve. If a light filling is installed on the front tooth, after how much can I eat? In this case, you must abstain for at least an hour. At this time, you can use pure or mineral water. If a light seal is installed, how much you can’t eat is better to find out from your doctor.
Why not eat right away?
Eat immediately after a light filling, then its integrity may be violated. Particularly harmful at the moment will be the use of solid foods. And due to mechanical stress, the seal loses its properties. As a result, it is quickly destroyed, and will not fulfill its main functions. Deformation of the composite material leads to settling of the seal, and this is the cause of discomfort during chewing. And sometimes the jaw may not close properly.
Often metal seals are installed . They have silver, copper or gold. In this situation, you need to know that such fillings harden for a long time, besides, they are considered harmful to the body due to the presence of mercury in the composition. After installation, it is necessary to exclude products that lead to the oxidation of materials. This also applies to snacks - the product hardens for a long time, and even a small effect damages the seal, leading to its deformation.
Plastic seals are in demand. They have a low price. But not everyone knows that under such products appears pulpitis, caries, stomatitis. Some people have allergies. Under the plastic, the native tooth quickly rots. And since such processes are undesirable, it is better not to choose plastic fillings.
What foods are dangerous?
You need to know not only how much you can’t eat after a light seal, but also what foods are allowed. This will prevent complications. After installing a light seal, not all foods and drinks can be consumed. In addition to the exclusion of coloring, you should not use very cold and hot foods. Allowed to use:
- green tea;
- black tea (in small quantities);
- green vegetables;
- strawberries (in small quantities);
- sweet cherries (a little);
- juices (in limited quantities);
- cereal cereals;
- vegetable oils;
- meat products.
These products will not harm the health of the teeth. In this case, do not use:
- coffee;
- beets;
- carrot;
- blueberries;
- carbonated drinks;
- cocoa, chocolate.
It should be borne in mind that very hot and cold drinks are harmful to all materials used in healing teeth. The use of such products leads to a change in the color of the dental part, its wear.
How much should you smoke?
There is no single answer to this question either. The opinion of the yellowing of the material due to nicotine is not entirely true. Tobacco products can only color enamel, but they do not affect the material used. Do not be afraid of a change in color due to cigarettes, especially with light filling, which freezes very quickly.
But it is important to remember that nicotine negatively affects healing, so after treatment it is preferable not to smoke for a day. Not all patients are able to understand the materials used in the creation of fillings. Therefore, you need to find out from the doctor how much time you need to refrain from eating and smoking.
Life time
The period of operation of the light seal depends on:
- quality of work of the doctor;
- the selected composition of the material;
- mouth care.
If all conditions are met, doctors provide a 5-6 year warranty. But it is necessary to go to a specialist in a timely manner for preventive examinations and perform hygiene procedures 2 times a day.
To preserve dental health, as well as increase the strength of light fillings, fresh vegetables, fruits, and dairy products must be added to the diet. If you get rid of smoking, it will increase the duration of the filling and positively affect the condition of the teeth.
Can teeth be whitened after this treatment? Such a procedure would be impossible. Artificial material is not able to succumb to professional methods of clarification. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the appropriate shade of the seal so that it looks neat and aesthetically pleasing during the entire operation.
Are complications possible after filling?
The negative consequences include rapid darkening of the restored crown and severe pain, which disappears after 2-3 days with proper work. But such sensations arise even when the patient eats a few hours after treatment. But if the installation is carried out with violations, severe pain occurs, swelling of the gums and adjacent tissues.
In complex cases, people develop necrotic processes in the periosteum. When the seal was poorly grinded by the doctor, injury to the mucous membrane and rapid wear of the crown occur. Poor installation can lead to toothache.
It is especially necessary to monitor the condition in children and pregnant women. In these patients, complications occur faster than others, and as a result, surgical procedures may be required. Timely assistance provided will prevent complications.
Recommendations
To extend the life of the seal, dentists advise you to observe the following rules:
- Do not eat food with dyes for 2-3 days. This applies to red wine, coffee, chocolate, juices, black tea.
- Exclude solid food for 2 days.
- Do not eat until anesthesia has passed, since the mucous membrane can be injured due to low sensitivity.
- You need to brush your teeth 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening, and even better after each meal.
- Special mouthwashes are effective, which clean the oral cavity and give fresh breath.
- You can use brushes for teeth, floss and other devices for caring for the oral cavity. The main thing is to carry out all the procedures carefully.
- If you have problems with teeth, fillings or gums, you should immediately consult a doctor. This will allow you to get rid of the problem in a timely manner.
Although some believe that you can still eat immediately after installing the seal, it is still preferable to refrain from this for several hours. And then meals can be carried out, as before.
Care
After installing the light seal, special attention is required. If you take care of it properly, then this will extend the service life, improve aesthetic and healing properties. To do this, follow the doctor's recommendations.
It is important to control your diet. It is advisable not to drink tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, pomegranate juice, blueberries, borsch. These products stain the filling, and its shade will differ from other parts of the tooth. It is also preferable not to use flour products and sweets in the first 3 days after installation. And cereals, vegetables, fruits will be useful for strengthening teeth, which will extend the life of the fillings.
Cost
The price of light fillings is calculated from which tooth needs to be cured. The front crowns are usually more expensive, because you must be careful when working. It is also necessary to take into account the level of destruction of the affected dental site, the need for filling the canals. Also included is anesthesia. To avoid any discomfort, imported drugs are used.
As a result, the minimum price is 1500-2000 rubles. In large cities and private clinics, the cost is much higher. If you do not want to install a light composite, then you must first discuss the action plan with the doctor. But today, light fillings for teeth are one of the safe and non-toxic. If proper care is followed, they do not darken and do not fall out.