Hygiene Atlas

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Composite (tooth-colored filling) tray

Also called: composite setup, resin restoration tray

Setup for a tooth-colored filling: prep, bond, place in layers, cure and polish.

A composite filling is done in steps: pick the shade before the tooth dries out, numb and isolate, prepare the tooth, place a matrix and wedge if a side is involved, etch and bond, place composite in thin layers and cure each one, then finish, polish and check the bite. Every office's tray list is a little different; this is a common example. Follow your office's tray card.

How to spot it

  1. Coated (often gold-colored) placement instruments, a curing light and finishing burs.

On the tray, in order

  1. 1. Basic setup: mirror, explorer, cotton pliers
  2. 2. Anesthetic setup
  3. 3. Shade guide
  4. 4. Rubber dam setup or cotton rolls
  5. 5. High-speed and slow-speed handpieces with burs
  6. 6. Spoon excavator
  7. 7. Matrix (clear strip or band) and wedges
  8. 8. Etch, bonding agent and applicators
  9. 9. Composite and composite placement instruments
  10. 10. Curing light and shield
  11. 11. Finishing burs, strips and polishers
  12. 12. Articulating paper and forceps

Safety and care

  1. Shield eyes during curing.
  2. Keep composite out of bright light until it is placed so it does not start to set.

Related

Sources: Steps of resin composite restoration (journal article), Relevance of investigating light transmittance through red protective shields in dentistry. PMC5935785, Hu-Friedy Group. Miller Articulating Paper Forceps