Composite restauration (white filling)
A composite resin restoration consists of gluing an aesthetic material to a tooth. There are various families of composite resins and adhesives with distinct chemical and physical properties depending on the required use. These restorations can be used on both anterior and posterior teeth. A multitude of colours are available on the market.
Video Advice
Indications for treatment
- Fill the cavity left after the treatment of a cavity;
- Replace an old defective, lost or broken filling;
- Replace an amalgam filling;
- Fill a tooth affected by the progression of tooth wear (erosion, abfraction, attrition);
- Correct an enamel defect (hypocalcification or hypoplasia);
- Filling the tooth after a fracture;
- Correct a bad position or shape of a tooth;
- Improve the appearance of teeth.
Advantages
- Fast: the installation is done in one visit;
- Economic;
- Reversible, if the material is added to the tooth;
- Aesthetic.
Disadvantages
- Less durable than gold, dental porcelain and zircon;
- Shrinkage during hardening, which can leave the tooth slightly sensitive a few days after the procedure;
- Stains easily and loses its polished appearance more easily over time and depending on the substances consumed (tobacco, coffee, tea, etc.);
- More fragile and fracture-prone material, especially if it is present in large quantities and/or used in the molar region.
Risks and consequences of not treating
- Progression of caries to the nerve of the tooth, which may require endodontic treatment (root canal treatment) or tooth extraction;
- Infiltration of caries around the periphery of the defective filling into the tooth nerve, which may require endodontic treatment (root canal treatment) or tooth extraction;
- Progression of tooth wear (erosion, attrition, abrasion, abfraction), which can lead to dentine hypersensitivity (sensitivity to heat, cold, sweet foods, acidic foods, chewing, etc.);
- Transformation of the enamel defect into a cavity due to its lower quality;
- Deterioration of the appearance of teeth.
Processing steps and times
Processing carried out in a single appointment:
- Anesthesia of the tooth;
- Preparation of the tooth (if necessary);
- Application of an acid and glue to the tooth;
- Application of the composite resin in several layers. Each layer is subject to a light source that activates the chemical curing reaction of the material;
- Adjustment of shape and thickness;
- Polishing the restoration.
Cost
- Varies according to the number of dental surfaces to be filled;
- Varies according to the type of tooth concerned (incisors, canines, premolars or molars).
Maintenance
- Composite resin restorations require the same maintenance as natural teeth, including regular brushing (2 to 3 times a day), flossing and routine visits to your dentist (1 to 2 times a year);
- It is recommended to pay particular attention to the consumption of dark liquids, such as coffee, black tea and red wine, which may stain the composite resin surface;
- The patient should be careful not to bite into objects that are too hard to avoid partially or completely breaking composite resin restorations;
- The patient should avoid biting his nails, the skin around the nails or using his teeth as tools (to open bags for example);
- Patients with grinding or clenching habits should wear a protective device such as an occlusal plate or rigid protective shell to avoid partially or completely breaking composite resin restorations.
Restrictions
- Impossibility to isolate the tooth from blood or saliva;
- Bruxism or clenching of teeth not protected by a night appliance.
Alternative solutions
- Amalgam restoration;
- Inlay or laboratory crown
- Inlay or CEREC crown;