At Wayzata Dental, we always recommend the treatment we feel will provide a lasting solution to your dental needs. Contact us today to learn more about our innovative approach to your dental health.

Pros and Cons of Tooth-Colored Composites

Advantages of tooth-colored composites

Aesthetics – the shade/color of the composite fillings can be closely matched to the color of the existing teeth
Bonding to tooth structure – the material actually chemically bonds to tooth structure, providing further support
Versatility – in addition to use as a filling material for decay, composite fillings can also be used to repair chipped, broken or worn teeth
Minimal preparation – less tooth structure needs to be removed when compared to amalgam fillings when removing decay and preparation for the filling

Disadvantages of cheap or plastic tooth-colored composites

Many dental offices routinely use cheap tooth-colored composites that contain plastic. We prefer to use porcelain, as it is far more durable, albeit a more expensive material. When patients do request the less expensive material, we only use BPA-free filling matieral. Here are some of the disadvantages of the plastic-containing composites:

Lack of durability – some types of composite fillings wear out sooner than amalgam fillings and break down faster under the pressure of chewing, especially if used for large cavities. These types of fillings are not as durable and do break down quickly, which is why we typically recommend porcelain fillings as a longer-lasting alternative.
Chipping – depending on location, cheap composite material can chip off of the tooth, requiring replacement.
Shrinking – many common tooth-colored composite materials have a tendency to shrink away from the tooth over time causing micro gaps between the filling and the tooth to form.
Replacement – composites usually have to be replaced after 5 years.
Staining – these materials are more prone to staining and discoloring than porcelain.

Contact us today to learn more about our innovative approach to your dental health and let us help you determine which option is right for you!

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Tooth-Colored Composites

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