Re: UV in dental treatment

["Gibbs, S Julian" <s.julian.gibbs@vanderbilt.edu>]

As a former practicing dentist, perhaps I can add a bit 
more technical detail to the former responses to the 
request for info on UV in dentistry:
Most of the new composite resin filling materials require 
UV light to catalyze polymerization.  These filling 
materials have several advantages.  They can be matched to 
the subject's teeth in color.  They bond chemically to 
enamel--unlike all previous materials which depended on a 
physical seal to prevent leakage of saliva and all it 
carries to the space around and under the filling.  So 
these materials have applications other than pure 
cosmetics. 
Hope this helps.

***********************************************************
S. Julian Gibbs, DDS, PhD               Voice: 615-322-3190
Professor of Radiology                    FAX: 615-322-3764 
Dept. of Radiology & Radiological Sciences
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville TN 37232-2670 Email:s.julian.gibbs@Vanderbilt.Edu

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