Composite Resin Restorations

Composite Resin Restorations

Composite resin has a number of different purposes in dentistry. When it is used to restore a tooth with decay it is known as a composite resin restoration and when it is used to repair minor breaks, cracks, chips or other irregularities it is known as bonding.

Composite resin are unlike amalgam (silver) restorations and are made of a coloured plastic mixture with glass particles.

To place composite resin on a tooth it is prepared by conditioning it’s surface with a desensitising agent. The surface is then painted with a bonding liquid that sets firmly when an ultra-violet light is shone on it.

The composite resin material is moulded onto the tooth and shaped.

The light is again used to harden it and, finally, the set resin is trimmed and polished.

There are many advantages of using composite resin as opposed to other materials, some of which include the following:

• Only one visit to the dentist is usually required for this type of restoration to be placed
• An excellent colour match can usually be made
• Composite bonds with the tooth providing stability instead of just “filling the hole” and weakening the tooth
• The preparation required is much more conservative allowing the patient to retain more tooth structure and therefore making it stronger
• Composite material insulates the tooth from excessive temperature changes and is far more “natural”, aesthetically pleasing choice
• Composite resin can be easily repaired in the mouth and is easy to maintain provided the patient visits their dentist on a regular basis for cleaning