Fillings are the most common type of ‘restorative treatment’. A filling replaces the part of the tooth that has been lost because decay has caused a cavity in the tooth or because the tooth has broken. One option in restoring the tooth is to have a white filling, commonly known as a ‘Composite Filling’ and which are made from a hardwearing composite resin material.
Many people have fillings, the majority being made from a silver-coloured metal called ‘Amalgam’. Fillings do not just have to be practical, they can also be aesthetically pleasing and many patients no longer have the desire for amalgam fillings because they are visible: with most white fillings, no-one would know it was there.
Composites are a Healthier Option for Your Teeth
There is another reason why we prefer to use composite resin fillings and this is because they can be healthier for your teeth. With a composite filling, we will only need to remove the damaged portion of your tooth, preserving more of the healthy tooth. Composite resin is also highly biocompatible with your natural tooth. Unlike amalgam it will not flex when it comes into contact with hot or cold, or when it comes under stress as this can cause tiny fractures in your teeth. Instead it will bond strongly to your tooth, sealing out bacteria.
Composites are
- Composite are referred to as white fillings. Composite is a tooth coloured material composed of glass particles suspended in a resin matrix. It is available in many shades to perfectly match your tooth.
- Composites are bonded directly to your tooth which can help to support the remaining tooth structure.
Composites can be used for a variety of cosmetic dental procedures including:
- Repairing chipped or broken teeth
- Closing gaps between your teeth (diastemas)
- Reshaping your teeth
We have a huge selection of tooth coloured composite resins to choose from when placing your new filling, so our dentist can closely match the shade of your natural tooth. Our dentists are all very skilled in creating beautiful fillings that will blend in seamlessly with your tooth, restoring its strength and structure.
Composite is not ideal for all restorations in your back teeth, especially if you have a large cavity, as composite does not have sufficient strength to restore large areas or may fail if you have a heavy bite, grind or clench your teeth. An alternative tooth coloured restoration is an inlay or onlay that can be made from porcelain and which will be strong, hard-wearing and beautiful.
