Asking any dentist to describe the “average filling” is bound to produce a smile. Most will readily admit that there is no such thing. Each restoration is unique, and even ones that appear simple can get complicated. However, it is those complicated procedures, the ones that border on “hero-dontics” that bring out our inner MacGyver.
It is all about knowing the materials, understanding their properties and then adapting them to the situation at hand. But, why stop when all of the patients go home?
There are plenty of things that need fixing, and we know how to make good use of materials which can be shaped and hardened or used to duplicate something. And after all, a box of dental floss is nothing more than a portable version of paracord.
A number of years ago, a sudden stop and a worn tie-down sent one of our kayaks into a nosedive onto the gravel, fracturing off the tip of the prow and the handle.
Such a repair would require something moldable, durable and water resistant – which is a good description of poly-methyl methacrylate. A copper bushing from a local hardware store was the only additional thing needed to make our kayak seaworthy again.
That is one of my tales of a creative repair using dental materials. I am sure that there are some more interesting stories out there among our readers.
Please share below some of your stories of clever uses of all things dental, or how you have used dental materials to save the day!
