Restorative filling material
Composite Resin
Composite resin is the most common material for tooth-colored fillings today, replacing silver amalgam for most cavity restorations. It consists of a resin base and filler particles, offering good aesthetics and a reasonable lifespan for most cavity sizes.
Common uses
- Direct filling material for cavities of various sizes
- Repairing chipped or worn teeth
- Cosmetic bonding procedures
Advantages
- + Tooth-colored — aesthetically superior to amalgam
- + No mercury content
- + Bonds directly to tooth structure, potentially preserving more natural tooth
Limitations
- − Generally has a shorter lifespan than amalgam in large restorations, typically 5–10 years before replacement
- − Contains small amounts of monomer components (including BisGMA, a BPA-related compound) that release during placement — minimized by modern curing techniques
- − More technique-sensitive than amalgam during placement
Frequently asked questions
Is composite resin a metal-free filling material?+
Yes — composite resin contains no metals; it is a polymer-based material that bonds to tooth structure and is colored to match tooth shade.
How long does a composite filling last compared to amalgam?+
Composite fillings generally last 5–10 years in clinical studies for larger restorations, though smaller composites can last longer. Amalgam has historically shown slightly longer longevity in large restorations, which is part of why both remain options in different clinical situations.