Dentist in St Ann's Square , Manchester City Centre

Composites

Composites are resin based tooth coloured materials with properties that are increasingly being improved and aesthetically becoming more like tooth substance.

This said, they need to be placed with care and knowledge. A deep knowledge of these materials is needed to place the best possible restorations. Composites are a great material and most of the time, my material of choice. However, if the cavity is too deep or big sometimes other options need to be explored.

Glass ionomer

This is another type of restoration material. Its longevity is less than composites but as the material does not suffer the same type of shrinkage as composites, it can be placed as a long lasting (or semi-permanent) temporary restoration. These will usually last around 3 years depending on the clinical situation. It can also be placed as a permanent restoration outside of load bearing areas in the mouth.

Tooth Coloured Inlays

Ceramic and composite inlays are generally considered more appropriate for larger cavities. They are laboratory made so do not suffer the same shrinkage and have a much longer longevity. They can be considered as a type of crown but can be much less destructive than conventional crowns.