Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings: A Natural-Looking Way to Repair Teeth

A cavity, chip or small area of tooth damage doesn’t always require a large restoration. Tooth-colored composite fillings can repair many damaged teeth while blending naturally with your smile.

Why Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Used?

Composite fillings can restore both the appearance and function of a tooth. Because the material is available in different shades, Dr. Christine Chin can select a color that blends with your natural teeth.

Composite may be considered for:

Will a Composite Filling Look Natural?

That’s one of the main reasons patients choose composite fillings. The material can be selected to closely match the shade of the surrounding tooth.

Once the composite is placed, shaped and polished, the goal is for the restoration to blend naturally with the rest of your smile rather than stand out as an obvious filling.

What Happens When a Composite Filling Is Placed?

Composite fillings can often be completed in a single appointment.

When treating decay, the tooth is typically numbed for comfort. Dr. Chin removes the damaged or decayed portion of the tooth and prepares the area for the restoration.

The composite material is then placed and bonded to the tooth, shaped to restore the tooth’s natural form and bite, hardened, and polished.

Before you leave, your bite can be checked to make sure the restored tooth feels comfortable when your teeth come together.

Will My Tooth Be Sensitive After a Filling?

Some people experience temporary sensitivity after a filling, particularly to hot or cold temperatures. This often improves as the tooth settles after treatment.

If sensitivity is severe, your bite feels unusually high, you develop significant pain, or symptoms do not improve, contact the dental office so the tooth can be evaluated.

How Long Do Composite Fillings Last?

There isn’t one lifespan that applies to every filling. How long a composite restoration lasts depends on factors such as its size and location, the amount of chewing force placed on the tooth, oral hygiene, diet, and whether you grind or clench your teeth.

Regular dental examinations allow Dr. Chin to monitor existing fillings for wear, cracks, leakage or other changes that may indicate a restoration needs attention.

Is a Filling Always Enough to Repair a Tooth?

No. Composite fillings work well for many cavities and smaller areas of damage, but a tooth with extensive decay, a large fracture or significant loss of tooth structure may need a different type of restoration.

The right treatment depends on how much healthy tooth remains, where the damage is located and the forces the tooth must withstand. Dr. Chin can examine the tooth and explain which options are appropriate for your individual situation.