Composite Bonding Compared With Amalgam Fillings for Chipped Teeth

Why Composite Bonding Works For Chipped Teeth

Composite bonding employs a tooth-coloured resin that is moulded over the damaged area. Your dentist will be able to match the shade of the composite to your natural teeth and shape it to rebuild the damaged area, before finishing it so that it blends in with the rest of your smile.

They key difference here is that composite bonding is virtually unnoticeable, and upon having the procedure done, you will not feel anything unusual when running your tongue over the affected tooth. In short, it blends in.

A More Natural-Looking Repair

Amalgam fillings are made from an old-school composite material that have seen extensive and successful use as a filling material for decades. It is a tough material that is often used to fill cavities on the chewing surfaces of posterior teeth. However, amalgam fillings are not exactly aesthetic, especially when applied to anterior teeth.

Composite bonding offers a superior alternative for repairing minor chips precisely because it can be matched to the shade of your natural teeth.

• The fact that it can be matched to your teeth is obviously a huge advantage, especially if the chip is in a highly visible area

• Secondly, a minor repair using composite bonding usually requires less of the tooth structure to be removed

• Finally, a minor repair usually takes less time and is less invasive, and I think you would agree that having a chipped tooth repaired is not exactly a relaxing experience

Why Amalgam Fillings Are Not A Good Option

Amalgam fillings are known to be incredibly durable. They do not crack or break as easily as composite fillings, and they are exceptionally resistant to the shearing forces exerted on the teeth during mastication. In short, they are tough. However, a chipped molar is a very different scenario when compared to a chipped anterior tooth. Amalgam fillings are very rarely used in the front teeth, precisely because of their appearance.

However, amalgam fillings are not a good option for repairing chipped teeth, even if they are located in posterior regions. Obviously, the unesthetic aspect of amalgam fillings is a huge turn-off for many patients, but more importantly, amalgam fillings cannot be shaped to mimic the natural contours of the tooth.

When The Damage Goes Beyond Just A Chip

It should be noted that not all dental fractures are dealt with composite bonding. The procedure is ideally suited for minor imperfections and chips, but serious damage to the enamel or dentin will have to be dealt with using more involved treatments.

Your dentist will be the one to determine the cause and the extent of the damage. Some teeth are more prone to developing fractures, especially teeth with existing large fillings or insufficient crown coverage.

The bite force exerted during mastication, as well as parafunctions such as bruxism can also accelerate the progression of a fracture. Basically, if you have a tooth that has already been weakened in some way, any additional stresses that it undergoes will hasten the development of cracks.

Is Composite Bonding A Permanent Repair?

Unfortunately, composite bonding is not a permanent solution. The bonding material is not as strong as enamel and can suffer from cracks if you inadvertently bite down on something particularly hard.

It can also crack if you place undue stress on the affected tooth. Additionally, the bonding material will stain more easily than natural teeth, especially if you are a tea or coffee drinker. However, for minor imperfections like small chips, composite bonding is a great solution. It is minimally invasive, quick, and most importantly, virtually undetectable