Composite filling
What types of dental fillings are there?
Dental fillings can be made of metal, composite (resin) or ceramic.
Metal fillings, known as amalgam, an alloy containing highly toxic mercury, are still commonly used. However, due to its toxicity, we choose not to use amalgam in our Zurich dental practice.
Tooth-coloured resin and ceramic fillings are safe alternatives. Composite fillings are a plastic mixture based on liquid acrylic plastic mixed with glass, ceramic and quartz particles.
Composite fillings are now standard in modern dental practices. They offer an aesthetic solution in natural tooth colour, with minimal effort and at a reasonable price. This makes composite fillings particularly suitable for patients who want to avoid amalgam as a filling material or who want to replace old amalgam fillings.
At our dental practice in Zurich, we mainly use composite fillings for small to medium-sized defects. Composite can also be used as a filling material in the visible front teeth area.
One of our dentists will be happy to advise you on which dental filling is best suited to your needs.
Composite filling or ceramic filling – which is better?
Both options have advantages and disadvantages. Ceramic fillings are custom-made in a laboratory and are therefore more expensive, but also more durable. Composite fillings are a cost-effective alternative. They are made to fit the tooth precisely. Both fillings offer tooth-coloured aesthetics; the colour can be precisely matched to your natural teeth.
When is a composite filling suitable?
Nowadays, composite and ceramic are the primary filling materials used. Both can be colour-matched to natural teeth, ensuring an optimal aesthetic result. There are differences in the manufacturing process, insertion and durability.
Composite fillings consist of a plastic mixture of acrylic resin with added glass, ceramic and quartz particles. They are applied to the tooth in liquid form and hardened with a special light. This makes it relatively easy to produce a precisely fitting restoration. Ceramic fillings are custom-made in a laboratory and are more expensive due to the complex manufacturing process, but they are also more durable.
The decision to have a tooth filling therefore depends on individual needs. While highly resilient ceramic fillings are well suited for larger defects, smaller defects can be treated cost-effectively and aesthetically with a composite filling.
What are the advantages of composite fillings?
Composite fillings are a relatively inexpensive treatment that can be made and placed in the tooth in a single appointment. Their tooth-like colour is aesthetically pleasing, making them a worthwhile alternative to more expensive ceramic fillings.
When professionally applied, modern plastic fillings are very durable, although they are not quite as strong as ceramic fillings or inlays.
To place a composite filling, the dentist needs to remove relatively little tooth substance. The material used is well tolerated and can be fully loaded immediately after hardening. Repair or replacement is possible and uncomplicated.
How does the composite filling procedure work?
Before the tooth can be filled, the decayed areas must be completely removed. This is done painlessly under local anaesthetic.
For optimal adhesion of the filling, the tooth surface is then roughened with a special acid. The dentist then applies a layer of thin plastic as an adhesive. This so-called adhesive technique is also used in other forms of treatment such as crowns, veneers or ceramic fillings.
The composite filling can now be inserted into the prepared tooth. To do this, the dentist applies a layer of material and hardens it with a special light and repeats these steps. If the material would be inserted in one piece, it could deform during hardening, creating small gaps in the tooth with an increased risk of caries. For this reason, composite fillings are always made in layers.
At the end of the treatment, the finished tooth filling is polished again and checked to ensure that it fits correctly. Once the local anaesthetic has worn off, you can use your tooth again as normal.
How long does a composite filling last?
If a composite filling is done correctly, you can expect it to last around 8 – 10 years. Depending on the stress on the tooth, the lifespan of a dental filling can always vary slightly. If damage or discolouration occurs over the years, the filling can be replaced.
Is treatment with a composite filling painful?
The filling itself is painless. The only discomfort may be caused by the removal of decayed tooth material beforehand. Here too, we place great importance on pain-free treatment in our dental practice, which is why we use local anaesthetic.
What should I keep in mind after a composite filling?
Basically, you can use the treated tooth as normal. The plastic filling is slightly less durable than a ceramic filling and should be checked regularly to ensure it is in good condition.
Depending on individual dietary habits, discolouration may occur over the years, for example due to coffee, tea or nicotine. If there are any unpleasant discolourations or damage, the composite filling can be easily replaced.