Treatments
Amalgam Replacement & White Fillings
You may notice in your mouth that you have amalgam (silver), or perhaps black fillings in your back teeth. Amalgam restorations are now being replaced with ‘white’ alternatives including materials called composite resin or ceramics that do not contain mercury and are tooth coloured.
At Centennial Smiles, where necessary, we remove amalgam from your mouth in a safe and controlled environment and refill with either composite resin or a ceramic restoration. Natural looking and strong enough to form part of your tooth, this is a great way to get your new smile on the right track. Imagine a big hearty laugh and nothing but white teeth to show off!
A composite resin is a tooth-colored plastic mixture filled with glass (silicon dioxide). Introduced in the 1960s, dental composites were confined to the front teeth because they were not strong enough to withstand the pressure and wear generated by the back teeth. Since then, composites have been significantly improved and can be successfully placed in the back teeth as well. Composites are not only used to restore decayed areas, but are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the colour of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.
Bonding (the placement of composite resin on the front teeth
for aesthetic purposes) allows us to mould beautiful smiles
like artists mould clay statues. The use of a light hardened
white filling allows our team to mould, shape, and sculpt
your tooth without worrying about time or having to rush through
the white filling procedure. Once we are sure the white filling
looks great, it is then hardened using a dental curing light.
When the light is placed close to the white filling material,
the white filling material begins to change and harden.
- How is a composite placed?
- How long does it take to place a composite?
- What are the advantages of composites?
- What are the disadvantages?
- How long will a composite last?
How is a composite placed?
Following preparation, the dentist places the composite in layers, using a light specialised to harden each layer. When the process is finished, the dentist will shape the composite to fit the tooth. The dentist then polishes the composite.
How long does it take to place a composite?
Placement time depends on the size and location of the cavity-the larger the size, the longer it will take. Most composite fillings are placed in an appointment that lasts between 40 minutes and 60 minutes.
What are the advantages of composites?
Aesthetics’ are the main advantage, since dentists can blend shades to create a colour nearly identical to that of the actual tooth. Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth structure, which helps to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes.
What are the disadvantages?
After receiving a composite, a patient may experience post-operative sensitivity. Also, the shade of the composite can change slightly if the patient drinks tea, coffee or other staining foods.
How long will a composite last?
Studies have shown that composites last 7-10 years, except in very large restorations, where inlays, onlays or crowns would be recommended, as they would last longer than composites.