Cavities in your front teeth can be very unsightly. Fortunately, tooth-colored composite fillings make those teeth look natural to the point that no one even knows you had a problem. Composite fillings are being used in the place of the standard silver amalgam fillings for other teeth as well, brightening up smiles even more.

Composite fillings are not a new development in cosmetic dentistry. They have been used for decades in front teeth. With advances in dental technology and material development, composite resins have changed considerably over the years. Traditionally silver amalgam has been used to fill cavities in molars and bicuspids. The amalgam is sturdy as well as durable providing many years of wear. Composites were not strong enough to endure the pressures exerted on back teeth so they were seldom used in that capacity. However through the years, with advances and developments, composite resins were made more and more durable. Now it is possible to use them in back teeth for some fillings. Smaller cavities and areas where there is not a lot of pressure can be filled using composite. This makes your biggest smile even brighter.

What is a Composite Resin?

Glass or ceramic and plastic are the main components in composite resin. There are several types of resins that are used in the dental office. Each type has its particular advantages. A special blue light is used with some composites. This light activates substances in the resin causing it to become hard. Large cavities are filled in layers with the light being used to harden each layer making the filling durable. This type of resin is used on larger fillings.

Composite resins are able to be tinted to match the color of your natural tooth. Once the cavity is filled, the excess material is removed and the filling is smoothed and polished. The end product looks and feels just like your natural tooth.