Types of Dental Restorations: Composites (Tooth-Colored Fillings)
Composite fillings can be utilized in most instances as a filling material in teeth as an alternative to amalgam. Composites are a mixture of powdered glass and plastic resin, sometimes referred to as white, plastic, or tooth-colored fillings. The “life span” of a composite restoration is not as great as amalgam; however the advantages of this material listed below are important to many people. There have been no known allergies to composite restorations.
Advantages
- Strong and durable
- Tooth colored
- Single visit for fillings
- Resists breaking
- Maximum amount of tooth preserved
- Small risk of leakage if bonded only to enamel
- Does not corrode
- Generally holds up well to the forces of biting depending on product used
- Resistance to further decay is moderate and easy to find
- Frequency of repair or replacement is low to moderate.
Disadvantages
- Moderate occurrence of tooth sensitivity
- Fees are higher than dental amalgam
- Material shrinks when hardened and could lead to further decay and/or temperature sensitivity
- May wear faster than dental amalgam
- May leak over time when bonded beneath the layer of enamel.
It is common procedure in our office to give each family a treatment options using amalgams and a separate treatment option that is metal free. This allows each family to compare costs and estimated insurance coverage for each dental material option.
Contact Dr. Beap today to schedule an appointment.
