Dental Bondings

Discoloured, caries infected anterior filling before...	...and after treatment with composite fillings

Modern tooth-shaded filling resins (also known as "composites", made from an acrylic base with inorganic fillers) are of a high-quality standard. Above all, these composite fillings are the best choice for front teeth (incisors, canines), as well as smaller posterior fillings.

The adhesive bond between acrylic and enamel is achieved through etching and application of primer to the tooth's surface. In this way, even fragile teeth are strengthened. For almost every tooth shade there is a similarly shaded composite available, almost always allowing perfect aesthetic adaptation of the filling.

The life span of such extensive fillings is therefore limited to around three to six years. This is, of course, dependent on the patient's oral hygiene. Ttreatment with ceramic inlays should therefore always be considered as an alternative to composite.

Advantages and disadvantages of composite resin fillings

• Fairly inexpensive
• Strengthening of the tooth
• Good aesthetics
• Treatment in only one session
• No long-term stability of larger fillings
• Occasional bite sensitivity
• Possibility of discolouration and abrasion
• Problems with defects reaching deep under the gums