28 November 2007
An international expert on composite tooth fillings held a workshop yesterday on how to do 'Posterior Composites' for about 25 dentists from the GCC and other countries.
Dr Chris Lynch the visiting expert in tooth coloured fillings is from United Kingdom and a Senior Lecturer/Consultant in restorative dentistry at Cardiff University. He gave a demonstration on the effectiveness of the filling technique for composites.
Speaking to the Tribune Dr Lynch said that composite tooth fillings should be chosen over traditional grey metal fillings for a simple reason, "Composite fillings allow for minimal destruction of a tooth that is partly decayed. But metal fillings force a dentist to destroy healthy tooth enamel in order to set the filling," he said. "This technique prolongs the life of the restored tooth thereby avoiding risk of further treatment and pain."
Another reason to reject metal fillings would be its life span. "Research has shown that after twenty years 83 per cent of composite filling is still intact and in good condition. But in metal fillings it is only 79 per cent," Dr Lynch said.
The workshop was organised by Specialist Prosthodontist dental tutor from the Ministry of Health, Dr Ameera Radhi, and the Bahrain Dental Society.
Society member, Dr Raja Kadem, told the Tribune that awareness of dental hygiene in the Kingdom was increasing.
"Special awareness campaigns are increasing the way children and adults take care of their teeth," Dr Kadem said, "Cavities are still a major problem among the children and gum diseases in the adults."
Dr Radhi told the Tribune that a conference on posterior composites will be held today under the patronage of the Ministry of Health. "It is the 4th GCC Dental conference and Minister of Health, Dr Yaqoob Al Hamar, will inaugurate the event."
An international expert on composite tooth fillings held a workshop yesterday on how to do 'Posterior Composites' for about 25 dentists from the GCC and other countries.
Dr Chris Lynch the visiting expert in tooth coloured fillings is from United Kingdom and a Senior Lecturer/Consultant in restorative dentistry at Cardiff University. He gave a demonstration on the effectiveness of the filling technique for composites.
Speaking to the Tribune Dr Lynch said that composite tooth fillings should be chosen over traditional grey metal fillings for a simple reason, "Composite fillings allow for minimal destruction of a tooth that is partly decayed. But metal fillings force a dentist to destroy healthy tooth enamel in order to set the filling," he said. "This technique prolongs the life of the restored tooth thereby avoiding risk of further treatment and pain."
Another reason to reject metal fillings would be its life span. "Research has shown that after twenty years 83 per cent of composite filling is still intact and in good condition. But in metal fillings it is only 79 per cent," Dr Lynch said.
The workshop was organised by Specialist Prosthodontist dental tutor from the Ministry of Health, Dr Ameera Radhi, and the Bahrain Dental Society.
Society member, Dr Raja Kadem, told the Tribune that awareness of dental hygiene in the Kingdom was increasing.
"Special awareness campaigns are increasing the way children and adults take care of their teeth," Dr Kadem said, "Cavities are still a major problem among the children and gum diseases in the adults."
Dr Radhi told the Tribune that a conference on posterior composites will be held today under the patronage of the Ministry of Health. "It is the 4th GCC Dental conference and Minister of Health, Dr Yaqoob Al Hamar, will inaugurate the event."
© Bahrain Tribune 2007
