If you have a cavity, the good news is that composite fillings are one of the restoration options available to restore the tooth. Compared to traditional fillings, the newer composite variety offers some significant benefits.
Composite restorations are made of a synthetic resin, a plastic material, that is mixed together with tiny particles of quartz or glass. The result is a solid, tooth-colored paste that becomes hard and sturdy when it dries. Because it consists of a mixture of several different materials, it is known as a composite, the same way that a traditional filling is known as an amalgam because it consists of several different types of metals.
Composite fillings have not been available as long as traditional fillings, but because of the advantages they offer, they have become very popular in a relatively short amount of time.
The metal in traditional fillings is susceptible to changes in temperature. Over time, they can weaken from going through cycles of contraction and expansion. This increases the chances of them breaking or chipping. Composite fillings contain no metal. Their reaction to temperature changes is negligible. This makes them more stable than metal fillings.
One of the ingredients in traditional metal fillings is mercury. This metallic element is poisonous to humans. While regulatory bodies have determined that the mercury found in fillings is stable and safe when combined with other metals and allowed to cure, some people still have concerns about swallowing trace amounts due to wear and tear on their fillings. Composite restorations do not contain any mercury and, even though they are made of plastic, they do not contain bisphenol A. BPA is a chemical added to some plastics that may be harmful to humans.
Traditional amalgam fillings retain a metallic color, giving your teeth a darker appearance that may be noticeable to other people when you open your mouth or smile. Composite fillings are created to match the color of your teeth, making them less noticeable to casual observers.
Though it depends partly on the extent of the decay, composite restorations may not require the removal of as much tooth structure as traditional fillings. The resin has the ability to bond completely with the tooth, allowing it to remain more completely intact.
In part because they require less preparation, composite fillings do not take as long to place. One or two cavities can be treated within an hour or less.
Composite resin fillings are almost as strong as traditional amalgam fillings thanks to advances in dental restorations. With proper dental care, they can last up to 15 years before they need further attention from the dentist.
Of course, this presumes that you have regular dental checkups, floss daily, and brush your teeth twice a day. You can also avoid damaging your fillings, as well as untreated teeth, by avoiding bad dental habits such as chewing on ice, hard candies, pens, or fingernails.
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Composite fillings are made of nontoxic plastic material that bonds with the teeth and blends in with their appearance, among other benefits.
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