Your cosmetic dentist offers a variety of aesthetic dental restorations to improve the look and function of your smile. These dental restorations are generally made from different dental materials, depending on the type of restoration. When it comes to direct restorations, which can be fabricated inside the mouth during a single dental appointment, the most commonly used cosmetic dental material is composite resin. In fact, composite resin has proven to be so popular that many dentists are replacing outdated fillings with composite resin. Here are some of the benefits that composite resin has to offer:
Aesthetic
First and foremost, composite resin is an aesthetically pleasing dental material that is tooth-colored. The exact color of composite resin can be customized, meaning that it can be matched to the color of your existing teeth so that the restoration looks completely natural. In some cases, a slightly lighter color may also be used to give your teeth a brighter appearance.
Versatility
Composite resin is most commonly used for composite fillings, which restore small to medium areas of decay on the tooth’s surface. However, this is not the only thing that composite resin can be used for. It can also be used for a procedure known as cosmetic bonding, which aims to repair minor damage or cosmetic imperfections on one or more teeth. In some cases, composite resin can also be used to fabricate composite veneers that don’t require the same enamel modification as porcelain veneers.
Requires Less Drilling
If you are one of the many people that despise the sound of the dental drill, then this is good news for you. Since composite resin is able to bond to the surface of the tooth, this means that less of the natural tooth structure will need to be removed. Not only does this mean that you will experience less drilling, but it also means that more of your natural tooth structure will be preserved.
Harden in Seconds
Not only do composite fillings and other composite restorations require significantly less drilling, but they can be quickly placed during a single dental appointment. This is because a special curing light is used to harden the composite resin to the tooth in less than a minute. In most cases, this process may need to be repeated a few times so that each layer can be hardened before the next layer is placed.
Can be Repaired
Although composite fillings are durable, they are susceptible to damage like any other type of dental restoration. However, instead of needing to be entirely replaced if they get damaged, composite resin restorations can simply be repaired instead. Some common reasons that fillings need to be repaired are due to teeth grinding or natural degradation over time.
Decrease Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is a sudden, deep pain experienced whenever you eat or drink something hot, cold, or sweet. Composite resin helps to insulate the tooth and protect it from being exposed to hot or cold temperatures, which reduces the number of tooth sensitivity instances. While it is normal to experience some mild tooth sensitivity immediately after having a composite filling placed, this generally fades within a few days.
