What is Composite Filling?
Also called white filling, it is the most widely used filling material in today’s dentistry, which is used in both posterior and anterior group teeth, which is aesthetic as well as robust.
Scope of application
It can be applied in cases such as caries, wear and fractures that occur in all anterior and posterior 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 composite filler metal fillers, it does not contain substances such as toxic mercury.
Due to the ability of the composite filling to adhere to the tooth surface, there is no need to remove the healthy tooth tissue, unlike metal fillings.
Light-curing of composite fillings is completed during treatment.
Disadvantages
Success rates are low in cases where the caries goes far below the gingiva and cannot be isolated from blood and saliva.
They show shrinkage during light-curing, though much reduced.
Its application requires much precision and takes longer time compared to metal fillings.
Technology
Matrix Systems: After filling, it is very important to use the correct matrix so that food residues do not get in the way and can be easily cleaned.
Bonding Agents: In order to avoid sensitivity after filling, a bonding agent that contains antiseptic agents and ensures that the filling adheres to the tooth very well is preferred.
Filling Materials: Aesthetic composite materials that can be well polished and have many different color options in the front groups, composite materials with increased filler (resilience) ratio and the lowest shrinkage ratio 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 preserve their brightness and color over the years can be made by using different brands of discs, rubbers and chemical agents.
Duration
Depending on the size of the filling, it can be done in a single session between 30 minutes and 1 hour (2-3 fillings in the same session).
Success
Use of quality composite filling material.
Choosing the right matrix and careful work of the physician.
Oral hygiene after composite filling treatment.
Application
Removal of carious tissue using local anesthesia.
Hardening with a special light by applying agents called ‘bonding’ to hold the filling on the tooth surface.
Light-curing in small layers by selecting the filling material in the most suitable color for the tooth.
Giving the appropriate form to the natural tooth and removing the excess.
The final step is to polish.
