Composite fillings are currently trending as suitable restorative materials, especially for anterior teeth. These offer several benefits over traditional amalgam restorations since they are aesthetically superior and strongly bond with the tooth enamel.
The cosmetic dentist in South Reno, NV, and their team have strong expertise in composite restorations owing to a series of benefits offered. Let us explore them!
Understanding composite fillings
A composite filling is a type of dental material, made of a plastic resin and mixed with a powdered glass filler. The filling is placed within the cleaned and prepared tooth surface, and hardened by a light-cured special glue. The material hardens through a process called polymerization. These aesthetic fillings help restore tooth structure lost due to caries, cracks, or fractures.
Uses:
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Diastema (space or gaps in between your teeth)
- Dental decay in the visible areas of your mouth
- Teeth that are worn out due to attrition (aging), increased masticatory forces, or bruxism (involuntary, persistent clenching and grinding of the teeth)
Potential benefits of composite fillings
Composite fillings offer the following benefits when used for teeth with mild to moderate dental decay:
- Aesthetically superior
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- Composite fillings are tooth-colored restorations and easily blend with your natural tooth structure offering superior aesthetics.
- They cannot be virtually differentiated from your natural tooth structure.
- Quick procedure
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- Composite fillings are quick and painless procedures that usually take 10 to 15 minutes.
- Directly bond to the tooth enamel
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- Composite fillings bond directly to the enamel surface, thus establishing a stronger seal.
- Does not contain mercury
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- Mercury is toxic and can be harmful to the body when ingested.
- Composite fillings do not contain mercury, unlike amalgam restorations.
- Preserves the tooth structure
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- Composite fillings do not require extensive tooth preparation. This preserves most of the tooth structure and its overall strength, and resilience.
- This can greatly enhance the tooth’s vitality and integrity.
- Acts as a shield against dental caries
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- Composite fillings contain fluorides that help prevent the development of caries in the future.
- Are stain-resistant
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- The resin present in composite filling does not stain the teeth, thereby making it stain-resistant.
- Offers excellent durability and strength
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- The composite material hardens through polymerization, which improves the strength and resilience of composites.
Composite fillings are popular durable restorations that are trending among dentists. Discuss your goals with your dentist to determine if they are the right choice for you!
