Fillings

With  advances in dental materials and science, restorative materials that  are aesthetically pleasing as well as strong and durable are widely  available for the filling and repair of teeth that have been affected by tooth decay or dental injuries.

Composite  fillings, which are frequently referred to as either “tooth colored  fillings” or “white fillings,” are a combination of biocompatible resins  and finely ground, glass-like filler materials. Composite fillings,  which are manufactured in a complete range of natural looking shades,  provide a more cosmetically pleasing alternative to traditional “silver”  fillings. Often used to fill a tooth by replacing tooth structure that  is missing due to injury or decay, dental composites can also be placed  to modify a tooth’s color or shape to dramatically improve its  appearance as well as repair dental defects and close gaps between the  teeth.

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The composite  systems used by dentists today integrate the highest quality of  microfill particles and resin materials to produce restorations that can  withstand the forces generated by all manner of oral function, while  achieving attractive, natural looking and long-lasting results.  Composite restorations are adhered to the underlying tooth structure  through a bonding process, which also serves to seal and strengthen the  tooth. Once a composite restoration is placed and is “set” or “cured”,  the dentist can refine its shape as well as smooth and polish it to  maximize patient comfort. This also helps to prevent the restoration  from staining and to avoid premature wear. Besides providing a pleasing  match to your natural tooth color, a composite restoration has other  advantages over other types of restorations. Composite fillings do not  require the removal of as much tooth structure to facilitate placement,  nor are they subject to expansion or contraction with temperature  changes as is the case with dental amalgams. However, the one drawback  is that composite restorations may be more vulnerable to wear and stains  over time and can require replacement down the road.