Composite fillings are a modern alternative to traditional silver (amalgam) fillings. Made from a tooth-coloured resin material, they are designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth while restoring strength and function. Because they bond directly to the tooth, composite fillings often require less drilling than amalgam, allowing us to preserve more of your healthy tooth structure. This makes them both a durable and minimally invasive option for repairing cavities, chips, or worn enamel.
Two of the main filling materials used are amalgam and composite. Amalgam fillings have been used for more than a hundred years, and consist of a blend of metals, including mercury. Composite fillings are plastic based, and rather than being a metallic silver colour, can be matched to the colour of your own teeth. They are both robust materials, and last well in the mouth.
Amalgam fillings do not adhere to the tooth, but rather require a hole shaped to retain them, such that when fully set, they cannot dislodge; that is, they require a mechanical hold upon the tooth in order to be successful. Unfortunately, this means that sometimes, additional tooth has to be cut away in order to create a cavity shape suitable for the filling.
Composite fillings use a combination of mechanical retention augmented by an advanced adhesive. We need only cut away decayed or untenable tooth structure, and then glue the composite filling over the top.
This new era of minimally invasive dentistry is much less destructive of tooth, and is far preferable. Cutting tooth away not only weakens the overall tooth, but also causes irritation to the nerve within a tooth, neither of which are desirable!
There are occasions where one filling material may be preferable over the other; we will always seek to advise you of the best option in any particular circumstance.
Composite fillings typically last 5 to 10 years, depending on factors such as the size and location of the filling, as well as your oral hygiene habits. Regular dental visits help ensure that your fillings remain in good condition.
Yes, composite fillings tend to be more expensive than amalgam fillings due to the materials used and the time required to place them. However, many patients prefer composite fillings for their natural appearance and aesthetic benefits.
Yes, if your composite fillings become damaged, worn down, or stained over time, they can be replaced. At Heathwood Dental Practice, we will assess the condition of your fillings and recommend the best course of action to restore your tooth.
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I transferred to the Kings Road site when Vishal took over Heathwood Dental Practice from Dr Smith in 2005, it formerly being located in Ellis Road. Moving from a known dentist to someone new has alwa… Read More
Absolutely first rate service. Incredible expertise and use the latest techniques and materials. I travel nearly an hour to go here as it’s by far, the best practise I have ever been to by a considera… Read More
I cannot praise Heathwood Dental practice enough. All staff are extremely easy to deal with and pleasant. I have been treated for many years by Dr. Vishal Kumar and would recommend him to anyone. He i… Read More
We have been patients at Heathwood Dental Practice for almost 20 years, and I highly recommend Vishal and his team. The care and advice are outstanding.Very important for us was for our son to grow up… Read More
Would highly recommend Heathwood Dental Practice. I moved here after a bad expereince at another Crowthorne dentist and have been very impressed. I used to hate going to the denstist and was extremely… Read More
