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White Fillings - Composite Bonding

White fillings are used to replace old amalgam (metal based) fillings, or to restore decayed, chipped and cracked teeth. Composite bonding is a process in which tooth coloured materials are applied to a tooth's surface, hand crafted and sculpted into shape, hardened, and then polished for the ultimate natural appearance.

What is it?

Composite bonding is the application of tooth coloured nano-technology resin to restore decayed, chipped, or discoloured teeth and to close spaces between teeth. They consist of a resin-based matrix and an inorganic filler. Composites are soft when applied and are set hard using a special light. They are commonly used and the procedure is usually carried out in a single visit.

Why is it used?

Provision of direct composite restorations is relatively quick and one of the most cost effective cosmetic dental procedures. Composite resin is a versatile, clinically proven, successful and aesthetic material that can be used in many common clinical situations.

Procedure

This depends on the reason for prescribing the treatment, in some instances there is no need for drilling or preparation of your tooth, the need for local anaesthesia may also be eliminated.

Your dentist selects the shade of composite that matches your tooth. The tooth surface will be etched with an acid gel then coated with a liquid that allows the tooth coloured resin to bond to your tooth. The composite resin is then sculpted, shaped and hardened with a special light. The material will be further trimmed and shaped. Once this has been completed, meticulous polishing will be undertaken.

The procedure usually is a single visit of 30 minutes; however this maybe longer or involve multiple visits depending on the extent, complexity and number of restorations you require. We only use high quality, strong, reliable and aesthetic composites such as Venus from Hereus Kulzer, and G-aenial from GC.”

Recall and Review

You may experience mild sensitivity in the immediate post-operative period, in the vast number of cases this is temporary. Composite restorations usually last several years before needing to be repaired or replaced. Cigarette smoking, tea, coffee and other pigmented substances may discolour composite restorations. It is therefore important to employ a strict oral hygiene regime encompassing professional hygiene intervention. Regular recall and review is required to ensure the status of your composite restorations.

Very rarely, if the sensitivity and pain persists due to having a very deep filling, then root canal treatment may become necessary.  In time white fillings can uncommonly stain, debond or fracture, however current research suggests they should last for on average 12 years. Occasionally if the decay or fracture is very large it’s advisable to have a dental crown or an onlay instead of a filling to reduce the risk of tooth or filling fracture.

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