Dental Materials for Coronary Obturation Utilized in Pedodontics

Dental caries is one of the most frequent diseases which affects, to quite a high extent, both temporary and mixed dentition. Restoration of the loss of hard dental substance caused by simple or complicated caries of the temporary teeth and of the young permanent teeth can re-establish tooth morphology and, implicitly, the mastication, phonation, physiognomic functions, as well as that of space maintenance in the dental arch. The rapid and continuous development of dental materials offers numerous therapeutical possibilities for the management of dental caries. The characteristics of the material employed for the realization of coronary restorations in paediatric dentistry influence the final result of the treatment. When the result is not the one expected by the specialist, one should re-examine the therapeutic plan, the conditions of its application, starting from the diagnosis, continuing with the proprieties of the material and with the clinical steps involved by the technique had in view. Considering the diversity of the materials now available in paedriatic dentistry, the practitioner should possess sound knowledge about their (mechanical, aesthetic, biological) properties, and also about the advantages and disadvantages of their utilization in specific clinical situations, for realizing an optimum and long-time restoration.