Why Composite Fillings Are Better Than Other Types

Dental fillings are used in dentistry to fill a damaged tooth. Victims of tooth decay are not new to this concept. In Dental Arts Clearwater, patients come in for treatment of damaged teeth, especially tooth decay. It happens to both children and adults. Resolving for dental fillings is the best strategy for treating adult teeth. For children, pulling out decayed teeth is still a viable solution, given that their teeth can grow back. There are different types of dental fillings used in dentistry. Of the many types, composite fillings stand out.

What Are Composite Fillings?

They are types of dental fillings that are made from composite resin material. The composite material features some special type of plastic and a mixture of special glass. This is what makes the material tooth-colored. This feature also qualifies them as a suitable option for cosmetic elevation. Ideally, you can use composite resin fillings as a restorative as well as a cosmetic treatment option.

When Are Composite Fillings Used?

• Tooth decay – these white fillings are used to seal the cavities formed in teeth during tooth decay.
• Discolored teeth – the process of dental decay can cause discoloration on the damaged teeth. These tooth-colored dental fillings are used to cover the discoloration on a tooth. In this front, composites are considered a cosmetic procedure.
• Broken, chipped and disfigured teeth – composite teeth can be used to reshape teeth that are damaged. Sometimes the damage is caused by decay, but other things can cause disfiguration.

What Is the Procedure of Getting White Dental Fillings?

In Clearwater, FL, the process of installing white fillings includes using different layers of the resin material. The filling material is applying in a putty-like substance. The first layer is smeared on the tooth, then hardened with a special light. The hardening process helps it adhere properly to the tooth. Another layer is applied over it, and the process is repeated over and over again.

The number of layers you get will depend on how much filling you need to improve the state of your teeth. The UV light used to harden the resin material ensures that all the layers are compact to each other and adequately bonded to the tooth.

What Are the Outstanding Benefits of Composite Fillings?

When compared to other types of dental fillings, it is hard to choose the white dental fillings. For one, composite dental fillings are very expensive. The installation process, as well as the nature and quality of the material, can make composite resin fillings more expensive than most types of fillings. However, some of the outstanding benefits of composite fillings are:

• Cosmetic advantage – there is nothing as disturbing as having to walk around with a conspicuous filling. Everyone ends up knowing about your oral situation. Thankfully, these fillings can be color-matched to the shade of your natural teeth. Hardly will anyone notice a difference in your newly done tooth.
• Ample support to the tooth – composites are bonded directly to your natural tooth. What this does is reinforce the strength of your tooth. Besides, the multiple layers of the resin material applied helps build-up on the sturdiness and strength of your tooth’s structure.
• Tooth insulation – temperature changes can make it uncomfortable for you, especially when your teeth are highly sensitive. The multiple layers of the composites provide insulation that helps protect your teeth from the impact of temperature changes.
• They are suited for front teeth restoration – it is one thing to have a silver filling on your back teeth, and a whole different story to have it on the front teeth. When you talk and smile, the first teeth to be noticed are the front teeth. It, therefore, makes a lot of sense to opt for a material that is more aesthetically sensitive for front teeth. Since composites are tooth-colored, they make the perfect type of dental fillings for teeth.

How Long Do They Last?

Composite oral fillings are not the most durable types. If anything, gold fillings last the longest, going up to 30 years. Composites do not have such a long lifespan. They last up to 5 years or slightly longer. You may have to replace them after a few years, to enjoy the full experience.