Tooth-Colored Fillings
What are Composite Fillings?
Fillings are used to restore areas of your tooth affected by decay. At North Hills Dental we use composite materials to "fill in" the surface of the tooth after all decay has been removed.
Composite fillings are tooth-colored to blend in with the remaining natural part of the tooth. The term “composite” refers to the actual filling material, which is a mixture of glass or quartz filler in a resin medium.
Amalgam vs. Composite
The image on the right shows a side-by-side comparison of old amalgam fillings that were replaced with composite fillings. Traditionally, amalgam was used to fill in the tooth structure that was removed due to tooth decay. Amalgam fillings often require that more tooth structure be removed to create a space that will hold the filling in place. Over time, amalgam fillings loosen and can fall out completely.
Composite fillings provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small-to-midsize restorations that need to withstand moderate chewing pressure. In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing than amalgam, composite fillings are "bonded," or attached, with adhesive directly to the tooth surface. This often allows for a more conservative repair than traditional amalgam fillings with their inability to bond to the tooth structure.
Composite fillings require that the tooth be kept clean and dry during the entire filling process, and they are subject to stain and discoloration over time. The life expectancy of a white filling can depend greatly on where it is in your mouth and how heavily your teeth come together when you bite.
Composite filling material is also commonly used to repair front teeth that have chipped or worn. Where possible, aesthetic bonding of composite material to front teeth is generally much less expensive than veneers or crowns. However, bonding typically does not last as long as veneers or crowns.
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