Composite resin refers to a malleable, synthetic material similar to cement. Its color is close to the white of a natural tooth. And it will harden under concentrated light to become durable. This versatile and safe substance can be used in a variety of dental treatments in order to provide many types of oral health benefits.
But you can feel more comfortable about introducing this material to your mouth when you know more about the advantages it can offer. Read on to discover three ways that a dentist will use composite resin to provide optimal dental services for their patients.
Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings
A common way that dentists will employ composite resin is for dental fillings. Dentists use fillings when treating cavities. They must drill away the decayed part of the tooth and then fill the resulting hole to restore the tooth’s structure.
Traditionally, dentists used metal alloys for fillings, but modern dentistry has switched to resin fillings. This material is ideal for molding to the shape of the hole and then hardening to stay in place and create a seal over this vulnerable area of the tooth. This protects the tooth from further dental damage while also restoring oral function.
The filling will not interfere with your oral function. And many dental patients appreciate that the resin’s color matches the natural tooth. This way, the fixture will not disrupt the appearance of the smile.
Cosmetic Tooth Bonding
Composite resin can also be used for cosmetic dental services, as with tooth bonding treatment. During this procedure, a dentist will prepare the surface of the affected teeth to improve the resin’s ability to adhere to the surface. Then they sculpt the resin according to a patient’s smile aesthetic goals and harden it for lasting aesthetic benefits.
The bonding can cover stubborn dental stains to make the smile brighter but also natural-looking. And the treatment can fix small cases of tooth breakage and make the teeth appear more even and regular in shape. Bonding will also fill gaps between teeth and give the patient a straighter-looking smile.
Tooth bonding can continue enhancing a patient’s smile for three to ten years with proper maintenance. Learn more when you schedule a cosmetic dental consultation.
Dental Adhesive
Composite resin acts similarly to cement, and dentists can use this material for that purpose. When the resin hardens, it can serve as a reliable and durable bonding to keep other dental appliances in place in the mouth.
As an example, a dentist uses resin bonding to secure porcelain veneers to the front of a patient’s teeth. These custom-made shells are built by dentists to enhance the appearance of a patient’s smile for long-lasting results.
The secure bonding that keeps the veneers in place on the smile contributes to this enduring treatment. When patients take good care of this dental work, veneers can stay on the teeth for fifteen years. Discover other uses of composite resin when you speak to your dentist.