White Composite Bondings
What is a white composite bonding?
Composite bondings are also known as composite fillings, composite build-ups or plastic fillings. They were developed as an alternative to traditional silver (amalgam) dental fillings and are most commonly used for smaller fillings in modern dental practices today. The composite resin used is tooth-coloured to look natural and is made of a plastic dental resin containing small glass particles. Composite dental fillings can be used in front or back teeth. They are strong, durable and nearly undetectable, helping to ensure you maintain a very natural looking smile.
When would I need a white composite bonding?
If you have caries (decay) in a tooth
If you have a broken or chipped tooth, or an old filling
To change the appearance (shape or colour) of a tooth for cosmetic reasons
To replace amalgam fillings which have caused cracks or are unsightly
Although amalgam fillings can last a very long time, they are often the cause of tooth failure and breakages later in life. Amalgam fillings are metal, so they shrink and expand causing cracks in your teeth. A cracked tooth is one of the most difficult and expensive conditions to treat in dentistry. Cracks from amalgam fillings often lead to the need for crowns, root canal treatment or even complete loss of teeth. The longer an amalgam filling is left in your mouth, the more likely it is to cause cracks.
How are white composite bondings placed?
Composite bondings are completed in a single visit. While you are anaesthetised, decay is removed, the cavity thoroughly cleaned and the tooth prepared for the new filling. The composite bonding material is carefully placed, using a colour to match your tooth, then shaped and polished to fit. Good oral hygiene and diet, along with regular preventative care visits will help your filling last for many years.
Click here for After care instructions for fillings and crowns