The family dentist in Willowdale, North York, ON provides a variety of restorative treatments to address tooth damage. Among these options, composite fillings stand out for their numerous advantages. They have become a popular alternative to traditional amalgam fillings, allowing dentists to effectively repair mild to moderate cavities while providing durable and long-lasting results.
Let us explore the benefits of composite fillings in detail to determine if they are the right choice of treatment.
An introduction to composite fillings
A composite filling comprises a plastic resin combined with a powdered glass filler, forming a durable dental material. It is applied to the cleaned and prepared tooth surface, then hardened using a special light-cured adhesive. This process, known as polymerization, results in a solid restoration. Composite fillings serve to repair tooth structures compromised by decay, cracks, or fractures.
Composite fillings are used to restore:
|
The pros of composite fillings
You can expect the following benefits offered by composite fillings:
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 harm the body when ingested. Unlike amalgam restorations, composite fillings do not contain mercury.
Preserve the natural tooth structure
Composite fillings do not require extensive tooth preparation. This preserves most of the tooth structure, integrity, strength, and resilience.
Easy and quick procedure
Composite fillings are quick and painless procedures that usually take 10 to 15 minutes.
Are stain-resistant
The resin in composite filling does not stain the teeth, making it stain-resistant.
Protect from 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.
Excellent durability and strength
The composite material hardens through polymerization, improving composites’ strength and resilience.
Composite fillings, renowned for their natural appearance and durability, have emerged as the preferred choice in cosmetic dentistry. Surpassing traditional silver fillings with numerous benefits, they epitomize the latest innovations in dental treatment.
