Contents
If you’re like me, then you might not like the appearance of your teeth. I drink quite a lot of coffee and red wine, which stains my teeth. Years ago, I asked about getting them whitened; however they told me that some teeth (due to the density or some other factor) won’t respond to bleaching procedures. So bleaching was out for me too! Some people may be happy with the colouration of their own teeth – but some aren’t…
All of us love to have a beautiful smile. Having good and healthy-looking teeth helps us feel more confident about ourselves especially when we are amidst a crowd. However, if you are suffering from cavities or tooth decay, it can difficult for you to laugh, talk or smile more, reducing your self-esteem. A great solution to avoid feeling embarrassed or becoming self – conscious is to restore your decayed teeth with tooth-colored composite resin dental filling. To know more about this dental filling, take a look at this interesting guide listed below.
What is composite resin (White Filling)?
Composite resin is basically a dental filling material used for aesthetic dental restoration. A composite filling combines a tooth- colored plastic and glass mixture and is used for dental bonding front teeth or filling dental cavities. Formulated to resemble your natural tooth color, composite resins can be used on either back or front teeth. This type of dental filling can also for cosmetic purposes as it helps reshape disfigured teeth or change the color of the teeth, helping improve your smile. They are commonly used to restore front teeth in which the portions of the portions of dentin or enamel are teeth are chipped or broken. The filling is a great option for younger individuals involved in sports and is at a higher risk of injury. Composite resin fillings are also an ideal choice for those who want to have natural-looking filling.
How is a composite placed?
A composite filling is usually placed by a cosmetic or general dentist. The procedure of placing a composite resin filling is a little complicated when compared to that of an amalgam filling.
Procedure
- The dentist dries up the tooth by isolating it from saliva
- An air abrasion or a drill is used to eliminate the infected part of the tooth
- The dentists places the composite resin in layers over the opening
- Each of the composite resin material is hardened by using a special light
- After the tooth is filled with composite resin, it is shaped to resemble your natural tooth.
Although placing the composite resin filling can be quite time-consuming, most patients are quite pleased with the results.
Advantages
#1: Versatility: A great advantage of using composite resin dental fillings is that is can be used to repair broken, chipped or worn out teeth apart from being used as a filling material for decay.
#2: Aesthetics: The color or shade of the composite fillings is closely matched to suit the color of the existing tooth. This type of dental filling is, therefore, a perfect option of dental filling for the visible parts of teeth or the front teeth.
#3: Tooth sparing preparation: When removing a tooth decay and preparing the tooth for a composite resin filling, lesser tooth structure is required to be removed when compared to a tooth that is prepared for an amalgam filling.
#4: Bonding to Tooth Structure: Chemically, composite filling bonds to the tooth structure more effectively that other types of dental fillings. This not only helps prevent breakage, but also helps protect the tooth from extreme temperature changes. As a result, using this filling helps strengthen your teeth.
#5: Does not contain mercury: The presence of mercury in dental fillings can often cause various health conditions, including high blood pressure, memory loss, and infertility among others. In addition, mercury used in fillings can also be harmful to pregnant women and unborn children. However, since composite resin filling does not contain mercury, opting for this type of dental filling is completely safe.
Disadvantages:
#1: Long procedure: The process of placing composite filling is quite time-consuming. The procedure can take nearly 15- 20 minutes longer time when compared to applying an amalgam filling.
#2: Lack of durability: Composite resin dental filling usually get worn out sooner than amalgam fillings. While amalgam fillings last for about 10- 15 years, composite fillings last for only five years. Additionally, when used for large cavities or are under the pressure chewing, composite fillings lack durability.
#3: Chipping: Depending on the location in which they are placed, composite materials can chip off the tooth.
#4: Frequent dental visits: If this type of dental filling is used for inlays, it may require you to visit the dental office more than once.
#5: Color Change: The shade of the composite often tends to change slightly if the patient drinks coffee, tea or other staining food.
Composite Resin vs. Amalgam: Why is composite resin filling preferred?
Helps preserve the existing tooth structure: When compared to an amalgam filling that requires a larger section of the tooth to be removed, a composite filling requires the dentist to remove only the deceased part of the tooth. This helps the dentist to protect the existing tooth structure of the patient.
Support Tooth Structure: Unlike amalgam fillings that can expand and contract with heat and cause the teeth to crack, composite filling supports tooth structure, shields your teeth from extreme temperatures and remains sturdy when used for small and medium dental fillings.
More Natural: While a composite resin filling is made to match your tooth and make your teeth, an amalgam filling is very obvious in the teeth. Instead of making your teeth pearly white, an amalgam filling can cause a grey tint to the teeth.
How much does a composite filling cost?
Having a composite resin dental filling done can be a costly affair. Generally, a composite filling can cost nearly up to two times more the price of amalgam fillings. However although most dental insurance plans cover the composite filling cost up to the cost of an amalgam filling, the patient may be required to pay the difference.
For decades, the composite resin has been advocated as a means to restore minor to moderate defects of teeth caused by trauma or decay. Using the filling helps preserve the healthy tooth structure as much as possible and preserve your natural tooth. One of the greatest advantages of this filling is that it helps make your decayed or worn out tooth look naturally healthy and well- maintained.However, consulting your dentist before opting for composite filling can be highly beneficial in helping you attain a bright and beautiful smile.
Are Composite Resin fillings better than Amalgam fillings?
Composite resins are not better than amalgam. They do not last as long, the do not seal the tooth as well, they do not resist decay as well, they tend to chip and craze and become delaminated from the tooth more. About the only thing they do well is look like tooth.
I saw my friend the other day to remove some old amalgams and place some cerec crowns. The amalgams were getting ratty and were cracking the teeth. I remarked that these amalgams looked pretty old, and he told me I had done them in 1973. So these amalgams had been done by a kid fresh out of dental school and they had lasted 40 years. I cannot see a composite doing that. But I was kinda proud of myself.
And no Amalgam does not affect your brain waves. That’s what drugs are for.
But alas they are doomed for fashions sake, which is a pity because I cannot think of another medical appliance that has saved humanity from incredible pain and suffering than the billions of amalgam fillings that have been placed in the past 100 years.
And of those billions placed not one of them has ever been proven to cause the problems the doom sayers have assigned to them.