Modern and natural tooth-colored fillings have become widely accepted and are often used in place of metallic restorations where aesthetics is a primary concern. There are even studies that show that in some cases, use of certain tooth-colored materials can strengthen a tooth, making it a better choice than the metallic predecessor - amalgam. Two basic types of tooth-colored restorations are used: composite and ceramic.
Composite resins have been used for many years however their chemical make-up has changed and improved exponentially. The bonding agents used to make the composites adhere to the tooth have improved just as dramatically. Because of the improvements, the use of composites has become widely accepted by dentists and the indications for their use are more numerous. They are being used to close undesirable spaces, improve the shape, size and color of a tooth, replace an unsightly amalgam restoration, cover abraded or worn areas of a tooth (usually at the gum line) and to cover stains. Composites can also be used to protect thermally sensitive areas and to repair and strengthen broken teeth.