How Composite Fillings Deal With Cavities

Created with quartz or glass and using a resin medium, composite fillings are quickly becoming the go-to for many pediatric dentists. The fillings restore functionality to broken teeth by allowing the patient to bite or chew without pain. In addition, because the fillings look like natural teeth, they may help with self-esteem in relation to speaking and smiling.

What are composite resin fillings?

Composite resin fillings use versatile, customizable materials to fill in various cosmetic issues in the teeth. For example, composite resin can fill in small to medium-sized cavities and restore parts of broken or chipped teeth. When taken care of properly, composite resin fillings last between seven and 10 years.

Advantages and disadvantages of composite resin fillings

Composite fillings have a wide variety of benefits for children. The material can be created to look exactly like the child's other teeth, which makes them undetectable to most people. The process is also quicker than some other types of fillings and can usually be completed in one visit. Composite resin fillings are durable enough to resist fracturing during everyday use, and patients usually report only short-lived temperature sensitivity after receiving the fillings.

These types of fillings have some disadvantages, however. Composite resin has a shorter lifespan than other fillings and generally costs more since they are so customizable. In addition, dental professionals apply composite resin to the tooth in layers, requiring the teeth to be dry during placement.

What is the procedure for receiving composite resin fillings?

The process for getting a composite resin filling is typically straightforward. At the beginning of the appointment, the dentist will match the composite to the natural teeth. It is a good idea to have this done before the mouth and teeth become too dry, as this often changes the shade of the teeth.

Once matched, the decayed part of the natural teeth will be removed with a dental drill. Next, the child's tooth will be cleaned and dried in preparation for the filling. Sometimes, if there is a lot of damage to the natural tooth, the child will need to undergo some tooth shaving as well.

Next, it is time to etch and bond the tooth, preparing it to receive the composite. After layering the composite into the hole in the tooth, the professional will use a special light to cure the filling, which helps it to set in place. After setting all layers, it is possible to shape, contour, and polish the tooth to ensure it matches the natural teeth.