# Composite Bonding

> Citation bundle for Composite Bonding on The Treatment Registry.
> URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/procedures/composite-bonding
> Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/procedures/composite-bonding

- Category: dental

## Description

Dental composite resins are dental cements made of synthetic resins. Synthetic resins evolved as restorative materials since they were insoluble, of good tooth-like appearance, insensitive to dehydration, easy to manipulate and inexpensive.

## Overview

Composite bonding is the use of dental composite resin — a tooth-coloured restorative material — to repair or reshape teeth. Dental composite resins, also called resin-based or filled resins, are made of synthetic resins that are insoluble, tooth-like in appearance, insensitive to dehydration, easy to manipulate and inexpensive. A typical composite is based on Bis-GMA and other dimethacrylate monomers combined with a filler such as silica and, in most applications, a photoinitiator; adjusting the proportions of these components tailors the material's physical properties. Compared with silver-mercury amalgam, composite offers a far superior appearance, and depending on the dentist's skill, the patient and the type and location of the damage, its longevity can be similar to that of amalgam. In practice the material is placed while soft and dough-like, and the tooth must be kept perfectly dry or the resin may fail to adhere. It is then hardened by exposure to blue light of a particular wavelength (typically around 470 nanometres), which sets off polymerisation. Because the light generally penetrates only 2 to 3 millimetres, a deeper restoration is built up and cured in increments, each layer set fully before the next is added, and the bite is carefully adjusted. A properly placed composite is comfortable, good-looking, strong and durable, and can last ten years or more. Resin-based composites appear on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

## Common risks

- Premature failure if the tooth is not kept dry during placement
- Incompletely cured resin when placed in over-thick layers
- Leaching of unpolymerised monomers from resin that is not fully set
- Leakage at the bonded joint, which can lead to recurrent decay
- Chewing sensitivity if the restoration is left too high

## FAQs

### What is composite bonding?

Composite bonding uses dental composite resin — a tooth-coloured, resin-based restorative material — to repair or reshape teeth. It is valued for being tooth-like in appearance, easy to manipulate and relatively inexpensive.

### What is dental composite made of?

A typical composite is based on Bis-GMA and other dimethacrylate monomers, combined with a filler such as silica and, in most applications, a photoinitiator. The proportions of these components are adjusted to tailor the material's physical properties.

### How is composite applied and hardened?

The material is placed while soft and dough-like and then hardened by blue light of a particular wavelength, typically around 470 nanometres, which triggers polymerisation. Because the light penetrates only about 2 to 3 millimetres, deeper restorations are built up and cured in increments.

### Why must the tooth be kept dry?

The tooth must be kept perfectly dry during placement, because moisture can stop the resin from adhering properly and lead to failure of the restoration.

### How long does composite bonding last?

A properly placed composite restoration is comfortable, strong and durable and can last ten years or more. Its longevity can be similar to that of amalgam, depending on the dentist's skill, the patient, and the type and location of the damage.

### How does composite compare with amalgam fillings?

Composite offers a far superior appearance to silver-mercury amalgam, and studies indicate its longevity can be comparable depending on the circumstances. Resin-based composites are on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.