What Are the Uses, Advantages, and Disadvantages of Composite Resins?

Composite resins are  excellent esthetic restorative materials. Composite materials are available in various shades to match the esthetic requirements of individual restorations. Even though, composite restorations are highly technique sensitive, they demonstrate good clinical longevity if placed with care. The various uses of composites include:

• Esthetic tooth-colored restoration in the anterior region
• Diastema closure
• Improving/modifying tooth size and shape
• Masking discolored teeth via composite veneering
• For luting and core build-up
• Orthodontic bracket adhesive

Advantages

The advantages of composite restorations are:

• Excellent esthetics
• Conservation of tooth structure
• Good longevity
• Can be repaired
• Bonds to tooth structure
• Complex tooth preparation needed
• Economic restorative material

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of composite restorations are:

• Technique sensitive
• Placement takes longer time than amalgam and other restorative materials
• Risk of microleakage and secondary caries
• Meticulous oral hygiene maintenance needed
• Lower fracture toughness, cannot be used in areas of high occlusal stress
• Biocompatibility issues with Bisphenol A
• Polymerization shrinkage effects

Reference

• Wilson, N. (2015) Principles and Practice of Esthetic Dentistry: Essentials of Esthetic Dentistry. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier