What is Composite Filling?

Also called white filling, it is the most widely used filling material in today’s dentistry, used in both back and front group teeth, and is as durable as it is aesthetic.

Scope of application

It can be applied in cases such as decay, wear and breakage that occur in all front and back group teeth.

Advantages

  • Composite filling is aesthetic because it is the same color as the tooth.
  • Composite filling is as durable and resistant as it is aesthetic.
  • Unlike metal fillings, composite fillings do not contain toxic substances such as mercury.
  • Because of the composite filling’s ability to adhere to the tooth surface, there is no need to remove healthy tooth tissue, unlike metal fillings.
  • Light curing of composite fillings is completed during the treatment.

 

Disadvantages

  • Success rates are low in cases where the decay goes far below the gum and cannot be isolated from blood and saliva.
  • They show shrinkage, although it is much reduced during light curing.
  • Its application requires greater precision and takes longer than metal fillings.

 

Technology

Matrix Systems:  It is very important to use the correct matrix to prevent food residues from getting in after the filling and to ensure that it can be easily cleaned.

Bonding Agents:  In order to avoid sensitivity after the filling, a bonding agent that contains antiseptic agents in its structure and ensures that the filling adheres to the tooth very well is preferred.

Filling Materials:  Aesthetic composite materials that can be polished well and have many different color options should be preferred in the front groups, and composite materials with increased filler (durability) rate and at the same time lowest shrinkage rates should be preferred in the rear groups.

Light Devices:  In order to minimize the shrinkage factor, which is one of the disadvantages of composites, LED devices with gradually increasing light levels are preferred.

Polishing Systems:  Fillings that maintain their shine and color for years can be made by using different brands of discs, rubbers and chemical agents.

 

Duration

It can be done in a single session and takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour depending on the size of the filling (2-3 fillings in the same session).

Success

Use of quality composite filling material.
Choosing the right matrix and careful work of the doctor.
Oral hygiene after composite filling treatment.

APPLICATION

  • Removal of decayed tissue using local anesthesia.
  • In order for the filling to adhere to the tooth surface, agents called ‘bonding’ are applied and hardened with a special light.
  • Selecting the filling material in the color most suitable for the tooth and hardening it with light in small layers.
  • Giving the natural tooth the appropriate form and removing the excess.
  • The final stage is polishing.