Tooth-Coloured Fillings

Modern dentistry advancement allows us to repair teeth without leaving a permanent mark on your smile. For some, the appearance of an amalgam (metal) fillings is unattractive. They are noticeable when you smile and can cause your teeth to appear discoloured or dark.

If you need a filling but don’t want it to be visible, tooth-coloured composite fillings can be an appealing alternative. Composites can also be used for minor reshaping of chipped teeth or to fill small gaps between teeth to give you a more uniform, attractive smile.

What Is a Composite Filling?

Composite fillings are usually formed using a mixture of plastic, microscopic glass particles, and colourants. Your dentist applies them to your tooth in layers and “cures" them to harden them. Unlike silver amalgam fillings, composites can be made to closely match the colour of your natural teeth.

Since the composite bonds directly to your tooth, these fillings require less removal of healthy tooth structure, which leaves more remaining healthy tooth intact. 

Composite fillings are also less susceptible than metal fillings to cracking and chipping due to temperature changes in your mouth.

How Is a Composite Filling Placed?

To place a composite filling, the dentist will numb the area if necessary and remove any decay. The remaining tooth structure is then etched to create a rough surface for the composite to bond to.

The dentist will match the colour of your natural tooth and mix composite that is then applied in layers with curing between each layer. Once built up, the filling will be shaped to contour to your bite and look natural and then polished smooth. To the untrained eye, your composite filling will not be noticeable.

Why Choose Composite?

Composite fillings offer a better aesthetic than metal fillings. They can also act more like natural tooth structure, helping to avoid fractures due to uneven stress when biting.

Contact our clinic to arrange an examination or to ask your questions about tooth-coloured composite fillings.