The Pros And Cons Of Composite Fillings

Today, both patients and dentists have numerous materials for restoring fractured, cracked, or decayed teeth. If you are looking for your dental restoration with a natural-looking filling; then, composite resin fillings are good to consider but you must also know the pros and cons of composite fillings.

Composite fillings mimic the natural tooth appearance and these are made from powdered glass and plastic mixture. They have a variety of applications, including improving the appearance of teeth, treating decaying teeth, changing the color of your teeth, bridging gaps between teeth, and replacing chipped teeth. 

Composite resin fillings are available in various shades to match the tooth color per individual needs. They are regarded as excellent esthetic restorative materials. They demonstrate good clinical longevity if adequately cared for. The features of composite fillings are: 

• They are used to fix minor cosmetic flaws and blend easily with any color smile.
• The resin fillings mostly last for an average of about 5-7 years.
• They offer custom colorizing and mask discolored teeth through composite veneering.
• They improve tooth shape and size or modify them appropriately.

Besides many uses and applications, it is essential to list down the pros and cons of composite fillings so that you can examine them well before going for the treatment.

Advantages

There are numerous advantages of composite fillings. Some notable ones are listed below.

• Aesthetically Pleasing

Composite fillings are aesthetically pleasing and bring a positive attitude for the patients and make them care more about it.

• Harden In Seconds

Like other materials which need days to harden themselves, the composite fillings are set quickly within just a few seconds. This characteristic of composite fillings gives it a substantial competitive advantage for the patients to choose it.

• Less Drilling

Composite fillings require less drilling as compared to other filling types. It is essentially helpful for the patient to stay relaxed and get rid of any anxiety they have.

• Strong And Quick

Composite fillings give great strength to the tooth and quickly form a bond with it. Moreover, it can be easily repaired if the filling somehow gets damaged due to heavy chewing.

Disadvantages

Besides many advantages, composite fillings have a few drawbacks as well. For instance, 

• Labor-Intensive

Composite fillings are more labor-intensive for the dentist and have high labor costs per unit of outcome.

• Wear Out or Degrade

They usually wear out sooner than other metal fillings, especially if you chew something hard. Moreover, the composite fillings might get stained with continuous exposure to coffee and tea. They can also degrade from recurrent exposure to high alcohol content drinks.

• Expensive

Compared to silver fillings, composite fillings are not budget-friendly, especially if you have a tight budget for your treatment.

Conclusion

If you are wondering whether composite fillings are the right choice for you or not, make an appointment with your dentist. He will explore various options as per your dental needs and recommend the right type of filling you need. 

Contact your Pinole dentist, Dr Hoss Abar, DDS, MSD at Abar Orthodontics to learn more about composite fillings.

*Neither this nor any other content in this media is meant to prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. We highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition. *