A Composite filling or a Tooth coloured filling is the most ideal choice for cosmetic repair of Anterior teeth. Various minor problems such as discoloured, chipped or decayed front teeth can be rectified by these fillings. Even minor spaces between teeth can be closed by these fillings. Similar in colour and texture to natural teeth , these fillings are almost invisible thus more attractive.

What is a composite restoration / composite filling?

• The composite restoration is named after material that is used, namely composite resin.
• Composite resin is a plastic tooth-coloured material that is used as a filling.
• It is also called a white or plastic filling.It is aesthetic and durable.

What is bonding?

The process of repairing a tooth with a composite filling is called bonding.

The composite material is placed into the cavity in layers until the tooth is restored to its original form.

• The filling is permanently fused or bonded to the tooth with the help of UV Light.
• This is a major advance for dentistry.
• There is no longer the need to cut a slot into a tooth to hold a filling in place, as is necessary for an amalgam filling.
• The preparation for an amalgam filling entails the removal of the decayed part and a small amount of healthy tooth.
• Less tooth needs to be cut away with bonding, as only the decayed part is cut out.
• An ultraviolet light is used to harden it, & it can be chewed on immediately after it has been completed.

It has this advantage over an amalgam filling which takes a few hours to harden.

What is the Role of Composite Restorations in cosmetic dentistry?

Composite Restorations can be used in the repair of front teeth in the following situations

• Discoloured teeth.
• DecayedChipped / fractured teeth.
• Spaces between teeth can be reduced / closed by composite fillings done on the teeth on each side of the gap.
• Visible surfaces of front teeth can be resurfaced with composite fillings.