Composite Filling
A photocomposite filling refers to a white filling (restoration) used to fill and replace the tooth structure lost due to dental decay.
This white, plastic, and aesthetic filling material hardens after application into the drilled part of the tooth through a reaction called polymerization. This reaction initiates the hardening process by supplying light energy from a curing lamp. Therefore, they are sometimes also referred to as light-cured composites.
Composite Filling Treatment
When treating with this material, it is important to follow the correct procedure, as the final aesthetic result and, ultimately, the durability of the filling depend on it.
Every procedure at our clinic, including fillings, is performed painlessly after the administration of local anesthesia. One of the most crucial steps is creating a dry working field using a rubber dam.
It ensures a clear view and simultaneously protects other oral tissues.
the newsletter
By submitting this form, you consent to the processing of your email address and/or phone number for the purpose of sending commercial and non-commercial messages.
Why a Composite Filling?
Light-cured composites are currently the most widely used aesthetic material, offering many advantages compared to older amalgam fillings. This material does not need to be pre-mixed; it hardens with light, giving the dentist more time to shape the material into the correct anatomical form of the tooth.
During tooth preparation, a gentle approach is used, removing only the parts affected by decay. This is because white fillings form a strong chemical bond with the tooth using an adhesive system. With amalgam fillings, a large amount of tissue needs to be drilled away for the material to hold firmly (mechanical bond), which unnecessarily removes healthy parts of the tooth.
Uses of Composite Fillings
The applications of composite fillings vary. Most commonly, they are used for treating small and medium-sized dental cavities. For larger cavities, where a greater amount of hard dental tissue needs to be replaced, we opt for treating the defect with a ceramic onlay/crown.
They can also be applied in the treatment of traumatic and mechanical tooth defects, for core build-ups before root canal treatment, build-ups under ceramic crowns, or for splinting mobile teeth.
Dentist
I completed my dental medicine studies in 2020 at the Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava. During my studies, I completed several internships at modern clinics in Slovakia and participated in… Read more
