Restorations Fillings

COMPOSITE FILLINGS AND GLASS IONOMER CEMENT FILLINGS

Composite can be an alternative to amalgam fillings. They are made of a plastic material mixed with small glass particles and are tooth coloured, Rather than silver. They are suitable for repairing both the front and the back teeth. After preparing the tooth, your dentist will place the layers of the composite filling into the area to be repaired. Each layer of the composite material is hardened by exposure to a special light. Once the cavity or defect is filled, your dentist can trim the composite to fit the tooth and then polish it to reduce discolouration or staining.

Advantages of Composite & Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) fillings:

• Composite & GIC fillings are more attractive than amalgam fillings.
  
• Teeth filled with composite & GIC materials tend to be stronger, as it bonds to the surrounding tooth, while a tooth filled with amalgam may sometimes be weaker.
• Composite & GIC fillings can be fitted into very small holes, so less drilling is needed in preparations of the fillings.
• Composite & GIC fillings filling can help insulate the tooth from major temperature changes, hence minimising risk of post-operative sensitivity.

Disadvantages of composite fillings:

• Composite & GIC fillings take slightly longer to place than amalgam, and the technique your dentist uses is more complex.
  
• If used in larger cavities, composite & GIC fillings can wear out sooner than amalgam fillings. However, this may not occur if they are used in similar cavities.
• Some foods and drinks can stain composite & GIC fillings.