Clinical review: Dr. Samreen Ejaz, BDS, RDS ·
Where composite works well
Composite is a resin-based, tooth-coloured material we use to rebuild missing tooth. We can shape it to restore the contact between two teeth, a chewing surface or a front edge. We pick a shade to help it blend in. But a filling also has to work when you bite and be easy to keep clean, not just look good.
When it may not be the right choice
How much healthy tooth is left, where the cavity is, how deep it goes and whether we can keep the area dry all matter. A cavity that runs deep under the gum, or a badly broken tooth, is much harder to fill well. Dr. Samreen will tell you whether a filling is reasonable or whether something like a crown would protect the tooth better.
How it’s done
We keep the tooth clean and dry, which composite needs in order to bond properly. The material is bonded to the tooth and built up, then shaped and polished. We check the contact with the teeth next to it and make sure your bite feels right. For a front tooth, we’ll look at the shape of the edge with you before you leave.
Looking after it
Clean around the filling and between your teeth every day. Tell us if you feel a rough edge, food keeps catching or your bite feels different. A small chip can often be repaired, but we need to see it first. Composite can stain or wear over time, and it won’t lighten if you whiten your teeth later, so it may stand out.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Questions about tooth-coloured composite fillings
Is this the same as a veneer?
No. A filling usually repairs one damaged area. A composite veneer covers more of the front of the tooth to change how it looks. We’ll be clear which one you’re having.
Can a composite filling break?
Yes, it can. Its size, how much tooth is left and your bite all affect how well it holds up. No filling material is completely safe from wear or breaking.
Will it match my teeth exactly?
We choose the closest shade we can for your tooth, but we can’t promise an exact match. It depends on your natural colour, and composite can pick up stains over the years.
This is general information. What’s right for your tooth depends on what Dr. Samreen finds when she examines it.
Background reading: ADA: tooth-coloured fillings. These are overseas sources, so their prices and rules don’t apply here.