Dental Composites Buying Guide

The days of metal fillings are quickly disappearing as more and more dentists opt to use dental composites instead. With many advancements in the composition of composite resin and the possible applications for their use, synthetic composites have come a long way in recent years. And as more patients hear about them, the option to get composite fillings is something that they look for in a dental practice. If you’re looking for the best dental composite products, check out this helpful guide to make the right selection for your practice. 

Benefits of Dental Composites

There are a number of reasons that dental composites are increasingly preferred by both dentists and patients, including:

  • Aesthetics: The color of composite materials can be customized so that it blends in with the existing teeth. This is especially helpful for anterior composites used on the teeth toward the front of the mouth.

  • Strength: The materials used to make composites bond very well to the tooth structure, which helps them to provide better tooth support. Composites with great compressive strength can be used for posterior teeth to account for the added pressure these teeth are subjected to.

  • Easier on teeth: Traditional fillings can expand and contract due to thermal changes, potentially causing damage to the teeth. Composite fillings don’t have this issue. 

  • Sets immediately: Dental composites cure immediately, which is convenient for both dentists and patients.

  • Versatile uses: Besides fillings, dental composites can be used for repairing teeth that have been chipped or broken. 

Types of Dental Composites

There are a few key types of dental composites from which to choose:

  • Universal: This type of dental composite is designed to be used for either anterior or posterior teeth. Essentially, they have the aesthetics required for front teeth as well as the compressive strength needed when filling back teeth.

  • Bulk fill: Unlike some types of dental composites, bulk fill composites don’t need to be applied in separate layers. This makes it the placement of a filling much faster and efficient, allowing dentists to see more patients.

  • Flowable: A flowable composite is capable of flowing to the walls of the preparation and the pupal floor, which allows the seal to be more complete on a grooved surface.

Most dentists don’t use a single type of dental composite. In many cases, different kinds of composites are used for various applications depending on the individual patient needs. For example, the location of the tooth, the severity of a cavity and the color of the teeth may all factor in when selecting which type of dental composites to use.

Best Dental Composite Brands

There are dozens of different brands from which to choose when choosing dental composites. At DuraPro Health, the top-selling composite is Septodont's N'Durance. This specific product has a natural look that pleases clients in terms of aesthetics, and the brand’s Nano Dimer Technology makes it easier for dentists to apply. Another great option is the SDI line, which includes different composites designed to accommodate specific needs, which as the Ice and Glacier products featuring high viscosity.

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