Composite

Composites are typically tooth-coloured, so can be used to mask discolouration or defects in the dentition, but may also be made in other colours to imitate gemstones for use as inlays or onlays. In dentistry, composite materials have largely replaced amalgam as a restorative material due to the relatively recent development of improved mechanical properties and reduced polymerization shrinkage.

They tend to require less polishing during finishing than amalgam and produce esthetic results at least as good as amalgam restorations.