All you wanted to know about health funds but were afraid to ask – Item no. 500-555

Restorative Services (items 511-597)

E.g. Tooth Coloured or Metal Fillings

511-515 Metallic fillings – Direct

This involves directly applying a metallic material in the tooth. This is mainly amalgam where the material is soft when mixed but hardens in a short time. The numbers at the end indicate how many sides of the tooth are involved with the filling. So 511 is one side up to 515 which involves all 5 sides of the tooth. This could be for front (anterior) or back (posterior) teeth.

 521-525 Adhesive fillings – Anterior Teeth – Direct

This is the application of adhesives and tooth coloured materials to bond the filling to front teeth. A front tooth is from the left canine to the right canine. Again the numbers reflect the sides of the teeth involved. 521 is a one surface and the 525 is all five surfaces of the tooth.

531-535 Adhesive fillings – Posterior Teeth – Direct

This is the same definition as for front teeth except it’s for back teeth. The cost is usually more than for front teeth due to the access, greater volume of material and considerations of the bite.

INDIRECT RESTORATIONS

These fillings are made by a technician in a laboratory from models or scans a dentist makes. They are then cemented into the tooth.

541-545 Metallic Restorations – Indirect

This usually made from gold and again the numbers reflect the number of surfaces involved. The material sits within the shape of the tooth and is cemented into the prepared tooth.

551-555 Tooth Coloured Restorations- Indirect

This usually made from porcelain and again the numbers reflect the number of surfaces involved. The material sits within the shape of the tooth and is cemented into the prepared tooth.

Next week: Other Restorative Services – Item No’s 572-597