Your dentist mentions composite resin for your filling or dental bonding. You know it is not the old silver amalgam, but beyond that, you are not sure what it actually is or why it costs more. Here is what composite resin is and what makes it different from other dental materials.

Composite resin is a tooth-coloured material made from a mixture of fine glass or ceramic particles and a plastic binder. Your dentist places it in layers, hardens each layer with a blue light, and then shapes and polishes it to match your tooth.

It bonds directly to your tooth structure, which means less of your natural tooth needs to be removed compared to older techniques.

Fillings are the most common use. When you have a cavity, composite resin restores the hole while matching the colour of your surrounding teeth.

Bonding is another term you might hear. Dental bonding uses the same material to repair chips, close small gaps, or reshape a tooth that is worn or irregular.

Some dentists also use composite resin to make indirect restorations like inlays and onlays, though these are often made in a lab from ceramic instead.

Amalgam is a metal alloy — a mixture of silver, mercury, tin and copper. It has been used for over a century and is extremely durable.

Composite resin is aesthetic. It comes in many shades so your dentist can match it to your natural tooth colour. Amalgam is silver and visible.

Composite bonds to your tooth. Amalgam is held in place by the shape of the cavity — your dentist sometimes has to cut the hole wider to make undercuts to hold the filling in. Composite fills the cavity and adheres directly, preserving more of your tooth.

Composite does contain plastic, so it can wear down over very long periods in back teeth under heavy chewing pressure. For large fillings in molars, amalgam or ceramic may still be recommended.

A well-placed composite filling or bonding can last many years. On front teeth, it often lasts a decade or more. On back teeth, it depends on the size of the filling and your chewing habits.

Composite can stain slightly over time — coffee, tea and smoking can cause minor discolouration around the edges. Good oral hygiene and regular dental checks help it last longer.

If you need a filling or want to improve the appearance of a tooth, ask your dentist whether composite resin is the right choice for your situation.

Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com

Meads Village Dental Practice