Compositeis another popular dental procedure performed by dentists across the world to save a cavity-infected tooth. Though also critical, the procedure requires professional knowledge and experience to examine the infected tooth and complete the treatment without any issue.
If you are seeking to get a composite filling and have several questions arising in your mind, then you have landed at the right place. We brought here the top 10 frequently asked questions on composite tooth filling with the best suitable answer for each question, helping you to understand the various aspects of this dental procedure.
10 FAQs on Composite Tooth Filling:
Q. 1. What is a Composite Dental Filling?
Ans. Composite filling is a dental procedure to fill specific material in the cavity infected tooth to restore its strength and functionality. The dentist performs this process and uses a material called resins that are one of the best substitutes for traditional amalgam fillings. This is simply a process of filling a suitable material in hollow teeth affected due to a cavity to stop further decay.
Read: What is a Composite Filling?
Q. 2. How Composite Fillings are Done?
Ans. To avoid pain, local anaesthesia is used, and then the dentist starts the drilling process on the affected tooth enamel to remove the damaged or infected part of your tooth. Later, this area is cleaned and sterilised to avoid infections, and then a suitable material is used to fill the drilled and cleaned area. And finally, a final shape and polishing is performed on the tooth to make it usable like normal teeth.
Q. 3. How Long do composite fillings take to set?
Ans. However, the material used to fill the affected tooth in dental composite is made to set just after being exposed to a medicinal light during the filling process. However, it takes a few hours to make the filled material more strong and long-lasting. Hence, dentists recommend avoiding eating or drinking anything for at least 2 hours after this dental procedure and don’t eat hard or sticky food items for at least for next 24 hours. This kind of precaution helps the filling become strong and reach to its full strength.
Q. 4. What are Composite Dental Fillings Made of?
Ans. The composite dental filling is mainly made of resin-based matrix materials and inorganic fillers, in which the resin matrix is naturally a type of plastic. And the resin materials include substances like bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (BISGMA) and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA).
This kind of filler is a ground glass-like particle, such as silica, that provides strength to the teeth. Apart from that, some of the other materials that are used in composite filling are polymerisation initiators, coupling agents and stabilisers to make the filling hard and improve bonding between resin and filler to prevent degradation of the material over time.
Q. 5. How Strong are Composite Fillings?
Ans. Composite fillings are strong enough to provide the natural strength to the teeth, mainly for front teeth, as there is less chewing pressure compared to back molars. However, the durability and strength of filling also depend on the type of material used in the filling, like gold or amalgam, that can withstand the strong biting force with the chewing capability of normal food items.
However, other popular and affordable materials like resin and glass filler are also considered strong and durable enough to provide the strength and durability to the teeth. Usually, the average life of composite fillings is from 5 years to 15 years, depending on the type of material, placement and oral care. While composted filling would not be suitable for high-stress areas of people who have teeth grinding health disorder.
Q. 6. How long do Composite Fillings Last?
Ans. The longevity of composite filling mainly depends on the type of material, placement and oral care. Usually, the life of most common material resin fillings typically lasts for 5-7 years, with the possibility to stay for more years if maintained with good oral hygiene and preventive care. However, smaller fillings in smaller areas last longer compared to larger fillings in widespread areas like molar teeth.
While eating habits like chewing very hard food items, consuming highly sticky foods, ice cream, and extremely hot or cold drinks also affect the life of the composite fillings. And bad habits like not properly brushing or cleaning and biting your nails can affect the longevity of the composite fillings.
Q. 7. How Much do Composite Fillings Cost?
Ans. The cost of composite filling also depends on various factors like types of material, complexity of the filling process and knowledge or experience of the dentist. A dentist practising in a highly posh area will charge a higher amount for the same treatment compared to a dentist providing the dental services in a middle-class society. However, in India, composite filling may cost between Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per tooth.
The amalgam fillings are comparatively less expensive, while gold or other expensive materials used in the filling will increase the cost composite filling dental procedure. While the ceramic inlays or onlays are one of the most expensive fillings, as they are fabricated in a dental lab and then bonded to the tooth.
Q. 8. Why are Composite Fillings More Expensive?
Ans. The reason behind the high cost of composite fillings is the cost of materials, time spent on the placement, use of advanced medical equipment and specialisation to perform this procedure. A resin-based material used with glass or quartz fillers is costlier than metal alloy, which is basically used in amalgam fillings.
On the other hand, composite fillings give a more aesthetic and natural look to the tooth, but are also expensive compared to silver-colored amalgam fillings. However, the cost of composite filling also differs as per the fees and charges by the dentist, which depends on their location, knowledge and experience.
Q. 9. Why do Composite Fillings Turn Yellow?
Ans. One of the biggest reasons behind the composite filing turning yellow from consuming food and drinks over time. While the inadequate polish and porous nature of the material could be another cause of the composite filling turning yellow. And smoking or chewing tobacco products also makes filings yellow.
In fact, composite filling made of material like resin is porous, making it easier for stains to be absorbed, turning the filling yellow. And with time being the natural degradation of composite materials also leads to their discolouration. And lastly, improper care of your teeth also makes the filling yellow.
Q. 10. How to Maintain or Take Care of Composite Fillings?
Ans. The best way to maintain or take care of your composite filings is always to brush twice daily, keep flossing regularly and avoid eating sticky or hard food items that can harm the fillings. You should also avoid sugary and acidic foods, including ice, hard candies, coffee, tea, and alcohol. And last but not least, you should regularly visit your nearest tooth filling in Greater Noida to check the condition of your fillings and have your teeth professionally cleaned. The dentist will also recommend the right treatment if there is any critical issue related to your composite filling or another tooth.
