The Many Benefits of Composite Resin

When you are having cosmetic dental treatment to improve the look of your smile, your results are not only based on the treatment itself, but the dental materials used as well. While there are a variety of dental materials to choose from, certain materials are more popular than others due to their advantages. Composite resin is one of these popular dental materials that has proved itself in the world of cosmetic dentistry. Here are some of the many benefits of composite resin: 

Aesthetic

One of the main advantages of composite resin is that it looks good. This is because composite resin can be easily customized to match or improve the color and shape of your teeth. The material itself is tooth-colored, but can be made to match the exact shade of your teeth. Additionally, composite resin starts off soft, meaning that it can be sculpted by your dentist to blend in with the rest of your teeth. The end result is a restoration that is completely indistinguishable from your other teeth. 

Versatile

Another main advantage of composite resin is the fact that it can be used to fabricate different types of restorations. The most common of these restorations are composite fillings, which are used to treat small to medium sized cavities. In addition to composite fillings, composite resin can also be used for cosmetic bonding treatments that improve structural imperfections and defects. Finally, composite resin has also been successfully used to fabricate veneers, inlays, and onlays. 

Require Less Drilling

If you absolutely hate the sound of the dental drill, then you will be very pleased to find out that composite restorations require less drilling than other types of dental materials. The reason why they don’t require as much drilling is because composite resin is able to create a strong bond with the tooth enamel, meaning that less preparation is needed. Not only does this minimize the amount of drilling you’ll need to endure, but it will also maintain the majority of your natural tooth structure, which is better for your tooth. 

Quick

In most cases, you can expect your composite restoration to be placed during one dental appointment. The main reason why they can be placed in a single dental appointment is because they don’t require the use of a dental lab. Another reason is that composite resin can harden quickly. After a layer is placed and exposed to a special curing light, it will harden in place in less than a minute. Usually about 3-4 layers are used to fill in a cavity. 

Less Tooth Sensitivity

If you experience a deep pain after you eat or drink anything hot or cold, then you likely are suffering from tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity occurs when stimuli are able to enter the tooth and irritate the nerve. Composite restorations help to decrease tooth sensitivity by insulating and protecting the tooth from harsh temperature extremes. 

Can be Repaired

Unfortunately, there are times when composite restorations can become damaged, just like any other type of restoration. However, composite fillings can be repaired when they begin to degrade due to regular use or teeth grinding and clenching.