fluorosed tooth

Dental composite resins are types of synthetic resins which are used in dentistry as restorative
material or adhesives. Synthetic resins evolved as restorative materials since they were insoluble,
aesthetic, insensitive to dehydration, easy to manipulate and reasonably inexpensive. Composite
resins are most commonly composed of Bis-GMA monomers or some Bis-GMA analog, a filler
material such as silica and in most current applications, a photoinitiator. Dimethacrylates are also
commonly added to achieve certain physical properties such as flowability. Further tailoring of
physical properties is achieved by formulating unique concentrations of each constituent. Unlike
amalgam which essentially just fills a hole and requires retention features to hold the filling,
composite cavity restorations when used with dentin and enamel bonding techniques restore the
tooth back to near its original physical integrity. Nevertheless, time to failure is still longer for
amalgam, and it has remained a superior restorative material over resin-base composites, but
with poor aesthetic qualities.
Composition

As with other composite materials, a dental composite typically consists of a resin-based

oligomer matrix, such as a bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (BISGMA) or urethane
dimethacrylate (UDMA), and an inorganic filler such as silicon dioxide (silica). Compositions
vary widely, with proprietary mixes of resins forming the matrix, as well as engineered filler

glasses and glass ceramics. The filler gives the composite wear resistance and translucency. A
coupling agent such as silane is used to enhance the bond between these two components. An
initiator package (such as: camphorquinone (CQ), phenylpropanedione (PPD) or lucirin (TPO))
begins the polymerization reaction of the resins when external energy (light/heat, etc.) is applied.
A catalyst package can control its speed.
Advantages

The main advantage of a direct dental composite over traditional materials such as amalgam is
improved aesthetics. Composites can be made in a wide range of tooth colors allowing near
invisible restoration of teeth. Composites are glued into teeth and this strengthens the tooth's
structure. The discovery of acid etching (producing enamel irregularities ranging from 5-30
micrometers in depth) of teeth to allow a micromechanical bond to the tooth allows good
adhesion of the restoration to the tooth. This means that unlike silver filling there is no need for
the dentist to create retentive features destroying healthy tooth. The acid-etch adhesion prevents
micro leakage; however, all white fillings will eventually leak slightly. Very high bond strengths
to tooth structure, both enamel and dentin, can be achieved with the current generation of dentin
bonding agents.