What Are Composite Fillings?

In this article, we discuss what composite fillings are and other types of dental fillings.

Composite fillings are the standard type of dental filling. Resin composite is the most common material used for treating cavities. It is tooth-colored and made of plastic resin and powdered glass. If you are getting a dental filling, you will likely get a composite filling.
Resin composite fillings can offer several benefits:

They are tooth-colored and not noticeable in the mouth
It can be easily manipulated by your dentist and molded to the desired shape
Form a strong bond with the tooth and reinforce it
Provide good insulation and prevent tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks
Hardens quickly and becomes functional immediately after the procedure
Can be used to fix small cavities as well as more extensive decay
Can be repaired if chipped or damaged

Resin composite fillings tend to last for 5 to 10 years, depending on the size, location, and your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits.

How Does a Composite Filling Procedure Look Like

Tooth decay treatment with resin composite fillings typically includes the following steps:

Before the procedure, your dentist will examine your tooth and take an X-ray to determine the extent of the damage and the condition of the tooth’s roots.
At the beginning of the procedure, a local anesthetic will be injected into the gum next to the tooth. The injection is quick and feels like a slight sting. The anesthetic starts working within a couple of minutes and numbs the area thoroughly, blocking pain and other sensations during the procedure.
Once the anesthetic takes effect, your dentist will use a special drill or a laser to remove the decayed portion of the tooth.
Next, the tooth is dried, and the space is filled with paste-like resin composite, which is then molded to the shape of your tooth.
Then your dentist makes sure that your bite feels comfortable and hardens the resin composite with a special light.

You can return to your daily activities right after the procedure and eat once the anesthetic wears off.

Alternatives to Resin Composite Fillings

Apart from resin composite fillings, there are silver amalgam and glass ionomer fillings. Also, inlays and onlays can serve as alternatives to dental fillings. Let us look at these options in more detail.

Silver Amalgam Fillings

Silver amalgam is a mixture of metals, including silver, tin, copper, and mercury. Silver amalgam fillings can be more noticeable in the mouth than resin composite fillings, but they offer greater durability and tend to last 10 to 15 years.

Glass Ionomer Fillings

Glass ionomer fillings are more commonly used in pediatric dentistry to treat cavities in primary (baby) teeth. The reason for this is that glass ionomer is less durable and lasts less long than resin composite, but it is also less expensive.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are typically used to treat larger areas of decay or to replace an old dental filling. Inlays and onlays can be made of resin composite, metal (gold or silver amalgam), porcelain, or zirconia.

Inlays fit within the top part of a tooth’s crown, filling its grooves, while onlays typically fit over the chewing surface of a tooth and resemble a partial crown.

Get High-Quality Dental Fillings at Absolute Family Dentistry

If you notice signs of cavities in your teeth, do not hesitate to make an appointment with a reliable dentist at Absolute Family Dentistry today. At our dental office, we use high-quality materials and modern methods to provide our clients with reliable dental fillings and other restorations. We are looking forward to your visit.