What About White Fillings?
Composites are fillings that are designed to match the color of your teeth. They may be used to restore a decayed tooth or repair a defect. Although they are often used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important, they may be used on a
back tooth when the restoration is small, or in cases when it may be visible.
The two main ingredients used in'composites are a binder of plastic resin and a filler of finely ground, glass-like particles. The dentist mixes the composite material and matches it to the patient's tooth color for a natural appearance.
Like a silver amalgam filling, a composite can be prepared and placed in one visit. After the decayed part of the tooth is removed, the dentist uses a very mild acid solution to "etch" the tooth surface. A bonding agent is brushed onto the p
r
epared tooth. The dentist then applies several thin layers of the tooth-colored composite. Once the composite filling is placed, the material is chemically hardened, or cured with a special light, and polished. Although composites are preferable for obviole for obvioá+û
us cosmetic reasons, other filling materials may be used depending on the extent and location of the decayed tooth. Your dentist may recommend an alternative, such as silver amalgam, if the cavity is large and subject to heavy chewing pressure.
Composites, like other fillings, may require periodic replacement. If the edge of the filling pulls away from the tooth, bacteria can grow underneath the filling and eventually cause decay. By scheduling regular dental checkups, your dentist can detec
t a problem early, when it's relatively minor and easy to
