Silver filling and mercury-colored tooth filling has been used for decades but it has a totally different color from the teeth. Composite bonding, or white filling, is a tooth-colored plastic mixture filled with glass. Composite bonding is not only used to restore decayed areas but is also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.
In the composite bonding process, the dentist places the composite in layers, using a specialized light to harden each layer. When the process is finished, the dentist will shape the composite to fit the tooth. The dentist then polishes the composite to prevent staining and early wear. It takes the dentist about 15 to 25 minutes longer to place a composite than a silver filling. Placement time depends on the size and location of the cavity, the larger the size the longer it will take.
Composite bonding can be used for fabricating chairside veneer to close the spacing and misshaping between the teeth and repair broken teeth up to one third of the tooth size. By utilizing the dentist’s unique vision and techniques, layered composite bonding can perfectly improve your smiles.
Esthetics is the main advantage, since dentists can blend shades to create a color nearly identical to that of the actual tooth. Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth structure, which helps to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes. Studies have shown that composites last 7 to 10 years, which is comparable to the longevity of silver fillings.
For more information, please call Dr. Sun at 661-799-8800, visit the web site of www.DrSunDDS.com or go to her dental office at 23450 Lyons Avenue, Suite B, Newhall.