A composite filling is a dental filling material that is made from more than one type of tooth to fill the space. It has many advantages, such as longevity, quick healing, and a smooth surface with fewer points of contact for bacteria. These fillings are expected to contain about 75% of pure resin and 25% of other materials. They can last as much as 20 years but usually around 5 years or less, owing to wear-and-tear and corrosion by bodily fluids.
A Wichita Falls cosmetic dentist recommends a composite filling to be used when all teeth are in need of a restoration due to decay or injury but not urgent enough for extraction. The root canal treatment may be done at the same time or after the composite filling has been placed.
Here are some common reasons to consider composite fillings.
- Chipped teeth
You can get your chipped or cracked tooth repaired or restored without having to get an entire crown. The composite filling can be used for surface cracks and chips in the tooth. These fillings use an adhesive to create their foundation. Then, the teeth are shaped to create a smooth surface for their placement.
- Cracked or broken teeth
A cracked or broken tooth can usually be restored. The composite filling is applied to the impacted area to restore the tooth. These fillings normally use an adhesive to hold them in place. You may need to get a crown if the filling is very large.
- Decayed teeth
The composite filling will solve the problem of decay or injury to your teeth. It is a temporary solution that can be used as a bridge to restore your tooth. Because it is not made of natural materials such as calcium, it will not provide any support to the tooth or cause any problems later on. The composite filling can be used for small cavities and for when all other options have been exhausted.
- Missing teeth
The missing tooth problem can be cured with the use of a composite filling. Usually, fillings are used for this condition, but a similar type of material can be used in the case of missing teeth because it does not need to adhere so tightly to hold it in place in case of individual choice by the patient.
- Closing space between two teeth
The composite filling can be used to close the space between two teeth. The dentist will use the composite filling to fill in the gap between the teeth and then shape it by smoothing out the edges to make it look natural.
