What are composite resins?

Composite resins are a mixture of glass or quartz used for some fillings. They are generally used on either front or back teeth. They provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size restorations that need to withstand moderate pressure from chewing.

Composite resins are a type of filling that your dentist may offer you as an alternative to the more traditional amalgam filling. The composite is a mixture of either glass or quartz within a resin. When these materials are mixed, the result is a tooth-colored substances that blends in well with the rest of the teeth when a cavity is filled.

Some people may prefer composite resins to amalgam fillings because the composite resins do not contain mercury. Others may just like the fact that they aren't metallic and easy to spot. However, composite resins tend to cost a bit more, may take longer to actually place within the tooth, and may get stained as time passes.