Hunting Hills Family Dentistry - Roanoke VA

Composite Resin Fillings

We had to wait some time for tooth-colored fillings to be perfected, especially for posterior teeth-molars. The materials only a few years ago weren’t strong enough to hold up to normal bite pressure; now they are. Composite resins are our restoration material of choice for several reasons. Their cosmetic properties are unsurpassed and their marginal adaptation where enamel and resin meet is excellent. This type of filling fits extremely well. By building up the material in layers, and curing as we go, the filling actually strengthens the tooth structure, whereas, amalgam (silver) fillings can weaken the tooth over time. Placement of composite fillings require removal of less tooth structure than silver fillings. In many cases, they can be placed without anesthesia. Recognition of composite fillings by insurance is our only obstacle. Unfortunately, most insurance companies downcode and pay less for composite resin fillings; especially in posterior teeth. We regret that insurance philosophy does not correspond to our dental health philosophy when it comes to this treatment.