Dental composite (its types, disadvantages and advantages)

What is dental composite?

Composite is actually the same material that is used to fill teeth. Composite materials are in the form of paste and are the same color as the teeth, a thin layer of which is placed on the surface of the tooth and is shaped. To stabilize these materials, the dentist hardens it with the help of blue light after shaping the tooth.

Types of dental composites

Composites are resin materials that are placed in different categories according to the number and size of their particles and have different applications. In general, composite materials can be divided into four groups.

• Hybrid type composite
• Microfield composite
• Nanofield composite
• IPS veneers

Each of these composites has its own uses; Because in the front teeth, beauty and shine are important factors, and in the back teeth, having enough strength to withstand chewing forces well.

Hybrid type composite

Posterior teeth composites have larger particles and more strength and are usually of the hybrid type.

Microfield composite

To restore the front teeth, microfiled composites are used, which have smaller particles and less strength. But instead, they leave a smoother, shinier and brighter surface after polishing. The smoother the surface of the composite, the less it will take color and the need for periodic polishing over time.

Nanofield composite

Today, nanofield composites are also in the market so that we can achieve strength and beauty at the same time in tooth restoration.

IPS veneers (or IPS composite)

Another type of composite that is newly used is IPS veneers (ceramic composites). Due to having ceramic particles, these composites have higher color stability and strength than the previous generations and have the most similarity in appearance to ceramic laminates.

All types of composites are offered in different colors. These colors are available from the range of normal color to very white and cool colors.

Therapeutic cases of using dental composite

Dental composite treatment is used for many dental cases and problems, which are given below to learn more about the use of dental composite. If you have one of the following problems, you can benefit from composite treatment to improve the appearance of your teeth.

• Correcting the shape and color of the teeth
• To correct the appearance of teeth with an unnatural shape such as tiny or wedge-shaped teeth
• Correction of the distance between the teeth, which are closed using composite.
• People who tend to have too white teeth, this is not possible with bleaching, and it is necessary to use dental composite or laminate for the surface of the teeth.
• People with mild irregularity in their teeth can use composite treatment instead of orthodontics.

Advantages and disadvantages of composite

You should know that each treatment method has a series of advantages and disadvantages, knowing them will help you choose the right treatment method according to your dental conditions. Of course, it is better to pay attention to the advice of your dentist because he will suggest the most correct treatment with his knowledge and the condition of your teeth and gums.

Advantages of dental composites

Composites can correct the color, shape and rotation of the teeth or close the gap between the teeth. In this method, the teeth are not cut and the dental composite is glued on the surface of the tooth.

Another advantage of dental composites is that they are less expensive than ceramic laminates. In addition, they can be easily repaired if they are cracked or broken. Dental composite veneer (composite laminate) can be done in one session and usually does not require anesthetic injection unless there is decay or the teeth have become sensitive due to wear.

Disadvantages of dental composite

But composites need to be polished in different time periods according to nutritional habits such as consumption of tea, coffee, colored and pasty foods and frequency of brushing the patient’s teeth. The amount of composite yellowing is more than ceramic laminate types.

In treatments that are limited to one or more teeth, composite is the treatment of choice for the patient. If more teeth need smile correction, it is better to use more complete treatments such as dental ceramic laminate.

Front teeth composite

Today, we see the highest demand for composite front teeth. People want to have a Hollywood smile by making their teeth brighter and smooth and tidy. This is usually possible by treating 8-10 front teeth.

Procedures for dental composite work

Before performing the cosmetic treatment, the complete health of the gums should be checked first and any inflammation of the gums should be treated. Some caries in the front teeth can be removed and repaired at the same time as cosmetic treatment.

1. First, the surface of the tooth is completely cleaned with a brush.
2. A little bit of the composite material with the color you want is placed on the tooth as a test so that you can see and confirm the color on your tooth. The main criterion in choosing a color is your opinion and taste. You can consider from completely natural colors to very white and cold colors for teeth. In the meantime, you can consult with a dentist to choose the right color for your face.
3. The tooth dries and the treatment process begins.
4. The materials placed on the teeth are hardened with the help of blue light.
5. Finally, the additions are removed and complete polishing is done to create a shiny and completely smooth surface without any topography. The height of the material is taken to avoid the lip jumping.

It is better to repeat the final polishing in the next session. In addition, in the interval between these two sessions, you can write down your opinion regarding the protrusion or depression of the surface or the changes according to your taste, so that it can be implemented for you in the second session. Since this work completely depends on the skill and artistry of the dentist, it is better to do this work by a restorative and aesthetic specialist.

Complications of dental composite

The most important complications of dental composites are caused by two factors:

• Perform non-standard treatment
• Failure to observe the necessary care.
• In the wrong treatment, problems such as gingivitis may occur. This problem, which is very common among composites, can be treated simply by removing the previous composite veneer and performing gum treatment and then placing a new composite.

In addition, discoloration and decay are other problems of non-scientific treatments.

How to care after composite treatment

Breaking pistachios, seeds, almonds and all kinds of hard foods or chewing ice etc. with natural teeth is very harmful. This damage is much more serious in the case of composite teeth, and if care is not taken, the possibility of breakage or chipping increases.

Habits like holding a needle, hair clip or any other foreign object with the teeth can damage the composites. In fact, what guarantees the longevity of dental composite is how it is maintained.

Brushing and flossing and other health care recommended by your doctor must be done carefully and regularly to prevent further decay.

Include your periodic visits to check the health of your composite and teeth in your annual plan.

Consumption of colored substances such as tea, coffee and tobacco (cigarettes and hookah) should be minimized in all beauty treatments. The impact of colored materials in the case of dental composite (tooth-colored materials) is greater than dental ceramic laminates and dental veneers. This care is also very basic in teeth bleaching.

Dental composite must be repaired if broken.

What is the difference between composite and dental laminate?

The difference between laminate and dental composite