Dental fillings were never aesthetic years ago. Dental fillings used to only be made from a material called amalgam (silver filling). Dentists use this for one and a half century that when people think about fillings, they think silver. Amalgam is known for its durability and restorative properties but never for beauty. But this is no longer the case today. Composite resin came into the picture of dental fillings and now offers you an option other than amalgam.

amalgam or composite fillings
amalgam vs composite fillings

How composite resin differs from amalgam?

Composite resins or fillings also known as tooth-colored restorations are an ‘invisible’ dental filling as it is matched to the color of your teeth. This enables you to have your teeth restored without being noticeable. This was first used in the world of dentistry around 1960. The composite resin was fabricated from a mixture of plastic and filled with glass (silicon dioxide). At first, the composite resin was placed only to restore front teeth, because they were not strong enough to use for chewing.

However, over the years, composite resins were made more flexible and stronger, aside from its natural appearance. This is the reason why composite resins can now be used to restore cavities small to medium size, both in front and back teeth.

Uses of composite resins:

1- Tooth Decay

2- Chipped or broken teeth

3- Gaps between teeth

4- Replace old silver fillings containing mercury

There is more to these fillings than just amalgam replacement. They are good for sensitive teeth too. Now, your tooth structure can stay intact unlike with the amalgam fillings that can never hold the tooth as composite fillings can, because they are bonded to the tooth. Another great advantage of composite resin is that it can be fixed if they got chipped or damaged, unlike amalgam where it would have to be completely removed and replaced.

To make an appointment or to find out more about composite fillings, please call our office at 323-771-7254.

By Ladan Zinati

10 Comments

  1. Carla Kohlhase
    March 26, 2013

    I had decay along my gum line of my front teeth. I was always trying to hide it when smiling. Composite fillings gave me my smile back.

    • admin
      March 31, 2013

      That’s great Carla. It’s amazing what a difference something small like that can do!

  2. Daniel
    April 9, 2013

    I know these are great for looks but do they protect ones health?

    • admin
      April 10, 2013

      Hi Daniel. Sure they protect your teeth. What is it exactly that you are concerned about?

  3. kevin arvin
    April 12, 2013

    composite fillings is very essential for dental health. It is protect our teeth. It is looks for nice.

  4. Flora
    January 18, 2014

    Thanks for the information. I had some decay along the gum line, but the fillings kept falling out. Is there a filling type which adheres better along the lower gum?

  5. Crucial Reality Regarding Composite Fillings | ...
    January 30, 2014

    […] Dental fillings utilized to simply be made from an element referred to as amalgam (silver dental filling). Dental professionals utilize this for one and a half century that when folks think about fillings, they presume silver. Alloy is recognized for its durability and likewise corrective high qualities nevertheless never for looks. However this is in fact no even more the situation today. Composite fillings came into the photo of dental fillings and now provides you a great alternate aside from alloy.  […]

  6. Crucial Truth Concerning Composite Fillings | B...
    January 31, 2014

    […] Dental fillings made use of to just be made from a part called amalgam (silver dental filling). Dental specialists utilize this for one and a half century that when folks consider fillings, they think silver. Alloy is recognized for its long life and additionally corrective top qualities nonetheless never for looks. Yet this is in fact no additional the instance today. Composite fillings came into the image of dental fillings and now supplies you an excellent different other than alloy.  […]

  7. Vital Truth Concerning Composite Fillings | Sea...
    January 31, 2014

    […] Oral dental fillings made use of to just be made from a part understood as amalgam (silver oral filling). Composite dental fillings came in to the image of oral fillings and now supplies you a great different apart from alloy.  […]

  8. Essential Truth Concerning Composite Fillings |...
    February 1, 2014

    […] Oral dental fillings made use of to just be made from a part understood as amalgam (silver oral filling). Composite dental fillings came in to the image of oral fillings and now supplies you a great different apart from alloy.  […]

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *