Composite Resins

Giving Your Smile Back It's Color, Style, & Strength

We can restore any of your decayed, disfigured, or discolored teeth into an attractive, healthy state by simply applying a composite resin. Composite resins consist of a plastic-silicon dioxide mixture, designed to improve teeth both structurally and cosmetically. In fact, the latest generation of resin is so effective and useful that we're able to it in all of our filling work, entirely eliminating the need for silver amalgam use. Generally, resin placement requires four simple steps: preparation, layering, shaping, and polishing.

Simple Placement

First, the teeth to be filled are prepared: any decayed area is drilled out, and all surfaces are cleaned with a specialized cleaning agent. Next, Dr. Siegrist layers the composite onto your teeth, hardening each layer with a special light. When the layering process is finished, Dr. Siegrist carefully works with the composite, shaping it to fit the tooth and mimic your original dentition. He then polishes it, preventing staining and early wear. Depending on the size of the filling and location of the composite, this placement process may require 10 to 20 minutes longer than what's needed for a traditional silver filling.

Beauty & Longevity

You'll be glad to learn of several advantages regarding receiving composite resins as opposed to traditional silver fillings. First, Dr. Siegrist is an expert craftsman and as such is able to precisely blend composite shades and shapes so as to match your original teeth nearly perfectly. Further, the bond formed between your tooth and the composite actually serves to support to your remaining tooth structure, preventing breakage and providing insulation against temperature changes. Finally, average- and small-sized composites have been shown to last as long as silver fillings--seven to ten years.

Considerations & Costs

Occasionally, you'll experience temporary post-placement sensitivity after receiving your composite(s). And depending on your lifestyle habits, a composite shade may darken slightly from tea, coffee or other staining types of foods and beverages. However, if you anticipate this being a problem, Dr. Siegrist can prevent it by placing a clear plastic coating over the composite. Also, A final consideration may be cost: composites typically run one-and-a-half to two times the price of a traditional silver filling, with insurance covering up to the price of the silver filling and the patient paying the difference. However, insurance companies will likely increase coverage as composites continue to improve.

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