Health

Composite Fillings: Advantages for Aesthetics, Function, and Health

Composite fillings are popular restorative cements that are superiorly aesthetic since they are tooth-colored.  Used for mild to moderate dental cavities, these fillings offer several benefits over traditional amalgam restorations since they are aesthetically pleasing and strongly bond with the tooth enamel. 

San Jose dentist, and their team offer a comprehensive approach to tooth decay through composite fillings. They are popular and in demand since they offer a cascade of benefits. 

An introduction to 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. They act as excellent alternatives to traditional amalgam restorations.

Uses of composite fillings:

  • 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)

What are some of the key benefits of composite fillings?

Composite fillings offer the following benefits for mild to moderate tooth decay:

Aesthetically superior: Composite fillings are tooth-colored restorations and easily blend with your natural tooth structure offering superior aesthetics.

Directly bond to the tooth enamel: Composite fillings bond directly to the enamel surface, thus establishing a stronger seal. 

Meecury-free: Mercury is toxic and can be harmful to the body when ingested. Composite fillings do not contain mercury, unlike amalgam restorations.

Preservation of tooth structure: Composite fillings do not require extensive tooth preparation. This preserves most of the tooth structure and its overall strength, and resilience. 

Acts as a shield against dental caries: Composite fillings contain fluorides that help prevent the development of caries in the future.

Are stain-resistant: The resin present in composite filling does not stain the teeth, thereby making it stain-resistant.

Offers excellent durability and strength: The composite material hardens through polymerization, which improves the strength and resilience of composites. 

Quick procedure: Composite fillings are quick and painless procedures that usually take 10 to 15 minutes.

Reduced risk of fracture: the durability of composite fillings can impart support and stability, reducing the incidence of fractures and cracks over time.

Bottom line 

Overall composite fillings offer numerous benefits that make them attractive and affordable options for patients seeking aesthetic, durable, and minimally invasive dental restorations.