What Are Composite Fillings?

When a patient has a cavity or needs other restorative dental work involving a filling, the dentist has a few different options for the type of filling to use. One option is the composite filling, which is made of composite resin that can be matched to the shade of the patient’s natural teeth. Composite fillings are certainly the most “attractive” type of filling due to the fact that they are unobtrusive and, in many, cases, unnoticeable. They are placed in the mouth in much the same way as any other type of filling. First, the dentist will numb your tooth and excavate any decay that might be lurking. Then, the cavity will be cleaned out and the composite filling will be inserted into the hole.

Why Are Composite Fillings Used?

Composite fillings are very useful in dental work, and they work especially well in the following situations:

  • When the patient has experienced a serious amount of tooth decay
  • When the patient has cracked or broken teeth
  • When the patient has chipped teeth
  • When the patient’s cavity requires a small- to medium-sized filling
  • When the patient’s teeth are worn down
  • When the patient has a gap between two teeth that needs to be filled

What Are the Advantages of Composite Fillings?

At Empress Walk Dental, our dentists recognize several benefits of composite fillings, including:

  • Composite fillings most closely resemble natural teeth in colour, a quality that many of our patients appreciate.
  • They can be used on either the back or front teeth.

What Are the Drawbacks of Composite Fillings?

While composite fillings have many benefits, they also have some disadvantages, such as:

  • Sometimes composite fillings are more expensive than amalgam fillings, and in some cases they are not covered by dental insurance.
  • Due to the materials with which they are made, composite fillings are not as durable as amalgam fillings, and they may need to be replaced more often. However, taking good care of your teeth will help extend the life of your composite fillings for many years. Habits such as brushing your teeth regularly, flossing, eating a healthy diet, and visiting your dentist at regular intervals will all contribute to the longevity of your composite filling, and to your overall oral health.

Remember: the best filling is the kind you don’t have to get. Maintaining proper oral hygiene will go a long way towards preventing cavities, and therefore towards preventing fillings!

If you are interested in learning more about composite fillings or would like to schedule an appointment at one of our convenient Toronto or North York locations, call Empress Walk Dental today at 416-250-8000!

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Our Office

5095 Yonge St, Unit A1, North York, ON M2N 6Z4

Phone

(416) 250-8000

We provide free parking to our patients

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