Composite fillings are popular restorative cements that are useful for mild to moderate dental cavities. These offer versatile applications in the field of modern dentistry, successfully replacing conventional amalgam restorations. They are aesthetically superior and strongly bond with the tooth enamel.
The family and cosmetic dentistry in Lakewood Ranch highlights the potential benefits of composite fillings that help restore oral health, form, and function.
A comprehensive guide to composite fillings
A composite filling is a type of dental material made of a plastic resin 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 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)
Exploring the significant benefits of composite fillings
Composite fillings are gaining immense popularity in modern dentistry and are preferred over amalgam fillings due to several benefits offered. They:
Are 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 through microblogging and polymerization, thus establishing a stronger seal.
Do not contain mercury
Mercury is toxic and can be harmful to the body when ingested. Unlike amalgam restorations, composite fillings do not contain mercury.
Preserve the tooth structure
Composite fillings do not require extensive tooth preparation. This preserves most of the tooth structure, integrity, and overall strength and resilience.
Act as a shield against dental caries
Composite fillings contain fluorides that help prevent the development of caries in the future. Fluorides reverse tooth decay by a process called remineralization.
Are stain-resistant
The resin in composite filling does not stain the teeth, making it stain-resistant.
Offer excellent durability and strength
The composite material hardens through polymerization, which improves the strength and resilience of composites.
Offer a quick procedure
Composite fillings are quick and painless procedures that usually take 10 to 15 minutes.
Final thought
Composite fillings are tooth-colored, durable restorations that are increasingly popular in modern dentistry. They have successfully replaced traditional amalgam restorations owing to numerous benefits offered by them.
