Dental composite resins are types of synthetic resins which are used in dentistry as restorative material or adhesives.

Composite resins are most commonly composed of BISGMA (Bisphenol Glycidyl Methacrylate).
Now UDMA (urethane dimethacrylate) and TEGDMA (Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate) are also being used.

Fillers used are quartz, silica, tricalcium phosphate, zirconium dioxide. They provide strength, hardness, rigidity to the material.

Coupling agent binds the resin matrix to the filler particles. Organic salines are commonly used coupling agents.

Coloring agents used are aluminium oxide, titanium dioxide.

Composite are divided into types depending upon the size, amount and composition of the inorganic filler.

TYPES:

1. Conventional
2. Microfilled
3. Nanofilled

More advance composite

• Flowable composite
• Laser curing composite
• Packable composite
• Antibacterial composite

Placement of composite requires an etchant and bonding agent.
-On the bases of how they can be used the composite fillings are divided into two types

Direct dental composite
Direct dental composite placed by dentist in clinical one visit.

Composites are available in many shades so according to color of tooth shade is selected to give best esthetic results through single shade, dual shade and multilayering technique.

Before putting the resin in the cavity the area treated with an agent that is called as the etching process.

After etching and bond is applied which is cured by light then composite is placed and is cured with light.

Direct dental composites can be used for

1. Filling gaps (diastemas) between teeth using a shell-like veneer.
2. Minor reshaping of teeth.
3. Partial crowns on single teeth.

INDIRECT DENTAL COMPOSITE
This type of composite is cured outside the mouth.
Indirect composites can have higher filler levels and are cured for longer times
As result they have higher levels and depths of cure then direct composite.

Indirect dental composites can be used for 

1. Filling cavities in teeth as fillings, inlays and onlays.
2. Filling gaps between teeth using a shell-like veneer.
3. Reshaping of teeth.
4. Full or partial crowns on single teeth.
5. Bridges.

Before

After