Objective To analyze the effect of light-curing composite resin on masticatory function recovery in patients with tooth defect. Methods A total of 80 patients with tooth defect who received treatment in the Department of Stomatology, Beijing Huairou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to January 2024 were selected. According to random lottery method, they were divided into the control group (received porcelain restoration) and the observation group (received light-curing composite resin restoration), with 40 patients in each group. The restoration retention rate, restoration marginal adaptation, aesthetics and masticatory function recovery were compared between the two groups. Results The retention rate of restoration in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P <0.05). The marginal adaptation of restoration in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P <0.05). The proportions of cases with ΔE≤3.3, physician score≥4 points, and patient satisfaction in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). After treatment, the proportions of occlusal force of the affected tooth reaching more than 80% of the healthy homologous tooth, normal chewing of hard food, and no occlusal discomfort in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion Oral aesthetic restoration with light-curing composite resin has good marginal adaptation and high aesthetics, which not only helps to restore patients' masticatory function, but also shows a high long-term retention rate.