Composite Bonding Compared With Amalgam Fillings for Front Teeth

Composite bonding is generally a more appropriate choice option for front teeth as opposed to amalgam. This is primarily because composite resin can be shaded to match the colour of the surrounding enamel, making the repair virtually unnoticeable.

Why Composite Bonding Looks Better

While amalgam fillings have been used for decades they do have some drawbacks such as the unsightly greyish hue they bring to any tooth they are applied to. Composite resin on the other hand can be matched to the shade of the patient’s natural enamel and then fused directly onto the tooth to create a seamless repair.

A Natural-Looking Repair

• Shaded to match the surrounding enamel, meaning the repaired tooth will not stand out from the rest.

• Less visible from a normal conversational distance. The actual repair is dependent upon the condition and shade of the surrounding teeth.

• A suitable solution for small chips or cracks in the tooth where the dental restoration does not need to be extensive.

What Occurs During Composite Bonding?

Composite bonding generally has a fairly simple procedure involved. The dentist will prepare the tooth and then choose a shade of composite resin suitable for the repair. The bonding material is then sculpted to the desired shape and cured to set.

As the composite is fused directly to the tooth it allows the dentist to shape it with relative ease, which is particularly beneficial in cosmetic cases such as with the front teeth. These teeth are more reliant on their shape to project an attractive smile, therefore any imperfections should be corrected.

What About Amalgam?

While amalgam has proven itself as a tough, durable filling option that has been used for many years, they generally do not suit the aesthetic look required by most patients concerning their front teeth. Having a grey-ish coloured dental restoration in such a prominent place in your smile will not exactly make jaws water. They also tend to stand out more if the surrounding teeth change shade or condition over time.

Composite resin is not without its drawbacks either, as the surface can easily stain or wear away if the patient bites down onto particularly hard foods with that specific tooth.

When Is Composite Bonding A Good Idea?

• Generally ideal for small cosmetic repairs where preservation of the natural shape is required.

• If further reinforcement of the tooth structure is needed, then another type of dental restoration may be advised by your dentist.

• For patients who do not want the unsightly grey colour amalgam fillings bring, it is generally the preferred choice of restoration.

So, Which Is A Better Choice For Front Teeth?

In most cases where a restoration is indicated for a front tooth, composite bonding is the obvious choice due to its natural appearance once cured.

Amalgam fillings while durable and reliable, tend to stick out like a sore thumb in such a prominent area of the mouth. Though amalgam has its place in modern dentistry, a silver-grey coloured tooth in your smile just does not have the same appeal.

Once the composite has been shaped to the desired millimetre and cured to a suitable shade, it will most likely go unnoticed the next time you gaze into the mirror.