Which is a better filling material: composite or photopolymer

marti8

Here in Ireland I've only ever heard about composite fillings from dentists (and amalgam fillings for say molars) I've never heard a dentist tell me they're going to use a photopolymer filling? However in Ukraine where I may have to go for dental treatments most of the dentists are saying they don't use composite fillings (absolutely none use amalgam) - they use photopolymer.

What are the benefits of photopolymer over composite? Is it a better material? It seems (in Ukraine at least) that composite fillings are cheaper than photopolymer (I had never heard of photopolymer until a few days ago) A photopolymer filling ranges in price from €8 to €13. Thanks.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Ask the Ukranian dentists

marti8

Rodrigo Obedient Orchestra wrote: »

Ask the Ukranian dentists

Well, I do believe someone mentioned that you can judge quality by price, if that is indeed so (and I don't per se believe it is) then I reckon photopolymer is a better filling material - as it is more costly in Ukraine than composite.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Gee and here was me thinking light cured composite was a photopolymer. Let us know how you get on.

marti8

Rodrigo Obedient Orchestra wrote: »

Gee and here was me thinking light cured composite was a photopolymer. Let us know how you get on.

Well, I am simply relating what dentists in Ukraine have said and asking a question about that The majority use what is called photopolymer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photopolymer A minority also offer composite fillings http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composite_filling Now if they are one and the same, that's fine. The cost of a photopolymer filling is more expensive than the cost of a composite filling. As I've said I hadn't previously heard of photopolymer whereas I had heard of composite.

flahavaj

LOL.

flahavaj

Anyone know why the hell DID Electrical have ads on their website saying they only sell electrical equipment? Do they not sell televisions anymore?

BryanL

Composite is a photopolymer, maybe you pay more for the extra syllables?

ballsymchugh

flahavaj wrote: »

Anyone know why the hell DID Electrical have ads on their website saying they only sell electrical equipment? Do they not sell televisions anymore?

you just reminded me, i'm going to head over and have a look now. will i let you know?

davo10

Marti I'm going to do do something which goes against the grain and I may get scolded by the other dentists on this forum, but I think you are the perfect patient to seek treatment abroad. What you say makes perfect sence, the prices you were quoted cannot be ignored and the fillings sound absolutely appropriate for your situation. I am certain you have done all the correct research into your problems on wikipedia, so book the ticket, and don't forget to post when you get back.

marti8

Rodrigo Obedient Orchestra wrote: »

Priceless.....

I have white filling for you my friend and then the more expensive composite fillings, quality most guarantee. Super long life, no hurty. For you very many special price...

LMAO...its the comeback with the wikipedia links that's the best bit.

Lol, you seem to think that any dentist that undercuts Irish dental prices must be doing bad work.....lmfao.

If composite and photopolymer are exactly the same that's fine (still a hell of a lot cheaper than Ireland) but from what I have heard and seen (on websites) the dentists in Ukraine have different prices for both. Perhaps their composite fillings are not photopolymer - perhaps composite can also be made up of material which is not photopolymer. Nevertheless, beats Irish dental prices. Wonder why Irish dental prices are so high? Hmmmmm? :rolleyes:

marti8

davo10 wrote: »

Marti I'm going to do do something which goes against the grain and I may get scolded by the other dentists on this forum, but I think you are the perfect patient to seek treatment abroad. What you say makes perfect sence, the prices you were quoted cannot be ignored and the fillings sound absolutely appropriate for your situation. I am certain you have done all the correct research into your problems on wikipedia, so book the ticket, and don't forget to post when you get back.

Thanks for that. Yes, wiki is handy but can't be relied on 100% of course. If I go to Ukraine I will post, whether good or bad - I don't have an agenda. My agenda is price, lol. I need a root canal (possibly more than one), several fillings and a splint - as well as cleaning/polishing and maybe a periodontal treatment. Splint is about €50 in Ukraine (quite expensive by Ukrainian standards) - have to now find out whether that's for a "hard" splint or a "soft" splint. Been advised here in Ireland that hard is better as it simply lasts longer especially with nocturnal toothgrinding *must be thinking of certain individuals on boards.ie* :pac:

It may come to pass that I'll decide not to go but I most likely will go, well, will have to go. Thanks.

pauleggs

8 to 13 euro for fillings in the Ukraine!!!!!!!!!!! man your being robbed. I hear in parts of eastern Belarus a fiver is those most you can be expected to pay.

marti8

pauleggs wrote: »

8 to 13 euro for fillings in the Ukraine!!!!!!!!!!! man your being robbed. I hear in parts of eastern Belarus a fiver is those most you can be expected to pay.

Yeah I know, think they must be charging me westerner prices

davo10

Mart everyone here wants you to go, we are agreeing with you, please go

Big_G

Thread of the month. Maybe ukranian composite is the old chemically cured stuff. If so, nice.

We pay more for the filling material than the dentist charges for the whole procedure in Ukraine. Wonder if we should start ordering materials from Ukraine :rolleyes:

marti8

Big_G wrote: »

Thread of the month. Maybe ukranian composite is the old chemically cured stuff. If so, nice.

We pay more for the filling material than the dentist charges for the whole procedure in Ukraine. Wonder if we should start ordering materials from Ukraine :rolleyes:

Maybe ye should start ordering from Ukraine - even more profit for dentists then :rolleyes: "Money. money, money!" What I am simply saying is whether all composite fillings are photopolymer. To me, and of course I may be wrong, but to me the word "composite" sounds generic. Is it possible that there are non-photopolymer composite fillings? The dentists in Ukraine have said that they use some type of lamp (no, not a candle ) to "dry" the photopolymer filling. Possibly a UV lamp.

In Ukraine they also also use a dental dam when doing fillings and root canal. Never had a dentist here in Ireland use a dental dam when doing a filling.

This was me before Ukraine: :eek:

This is me after Ukraine:

See how white my toothses are? Now that's value for money........

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Bon Voyage.........stop posting now and go book your tickets.

marti8

Rodrigo Obedient Orchestra wrote: »

Bon Voyage.........stop posting now and go book your tickets.

I am going to book the tickets, I'll also post and ask questions and reply to posts if I wish. Boards is eh, a forum. Cheerio.

Saadyst

Wow, what is this, the Irish Dentists Master Race forum?

I've seen it in this forum before, but never so bad - while I appreciate all the advice you give people (including myself), are you really of the belief that there is nothing even close to an Irish Dentist?

You folks make it sound like as soon as you step out of the country your teeth will rot and seeing a non-Irish dentist will only make them fall out.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

The best dentists I have ever seen were italian, Japanese, one mexican guy (who was amazing) and german. They are all however more than 13 euro for a filling. I am sure there are great dentist and bad dentists everywhere, and have never claimed anything else, nor has anyone claimed that Irish dentist are the best. However some people seem to take the inference that any criticism of dental treatment anywhere else is somehow elitist. This thread is the culmination of 3 threads by the same poster in quick succession.

Also many of the dentist on this forum are not irish. This discussion goes on exactly the same in the UK, US, Europe, asia.....lets not feel that we are in any way special, or that the irish "consumer" has somehow discovered some great undiscovered secret. Dental tourism was massive in the US in the 80's and 90's but the ramifications of it have become apparent, and while it still goes on there, people view it with a more weathered eye now.

I have posted several time some excellent information articles from the GDC in the UK, I think it give all the information required.

http://www.gdc-uk.org/NR/rdonlyres/9C886B7F-67E1-4D3B-8AF5-7404590EE56C/82885/GoingabroadforyourdentalcareFINAL.pdf

marti8

Saadyst wrote: »

Wow, what is this, the Irish Dentists Master Race forum?

I've seen it in this forum before, but never so bad - while I appreciate all the advice you give people (including myself), are you really of the belief that there is nothing even close to an Irish Dentist?

You folks make it sound like as soon as you step out of the country your teeth will rot and seeing a non-Irish dentist will only make them fall out.

+1

marti8

Rodrigo Obedient Orchestra wrote: »

The best dentists I have ever seen were italian, Japanese, one mexican guy (who was amazing) and german. They are all however more than 13 euro for a filling.

€13 for a filling in Ukraine equates to paying about €100 for a filling in Ireland. If I go to Ukraine I am getting local prices. Simply because I am paying €13 in Ukraine does not for a second mean the work is substandard. Can't see why that is so difficult to grasp.

ballsymchugh

marti8 wrote: »

€13 for a filling in Ukraine equates to paying about €100 for a filling in Ireland. If I go to Ukraine I am getting local prices. Simply because I am paying €13 in Ukraine does not for a second mean the work is substandard. Can't see why that is so difficult to grasp.

17.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Sure tell us how you get on.

marti8

Rodrigo Obedient Orchestra wrote: »

Sure tell us how you get on.

I will sure.