About tooth-colored fillings
A filling restores a tooth that has been damaged by decay or a small chip. We remove the damaged portion of the tooth and fill the space with a tooth-colored composite resin that bonds directly to the surrounding enamel and dentin.
Composite fillings are the standard of care today. They are mercury-free, blend seamlessly with the natural tooth color, and bond chemically to the tooth in a way that older silver amalgam fillings could not. We can also replace old amalgam fillings with composite if you prefer.
Most fillings are placed in a single visit and you can eat normally as soon as the local anesthetic wears off.
When you might need this
If any of the following sound familiar, it may be time to schedule a visit. Only a doctor can diagnose your specific situation, but these are common reasons patients come in for tooth-colored fillings.
Tooth pain when you bite or chew
A new pain when biting on a specific tooth is one of the earliest signs of a cavity that has reached deeper layers.
Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet
Sharp temperature or sweet sensitivity that lingers after the trigger is gone often points to active decay.
A visible dark spot or hole
A dark stain, a rough edge, or a small visible hole are all signs that decay has broken through the enamel.
Floss catching or fraying on a tooth
Floss that catches or shreds on a particular tooth often signals a hidden cavity at the contact point between teeth.
A small chip from biting something hard
A minor chip can usually be repaired beautifully with a bonded composite filling — no crown needed.
An old amalgam filling you want replaced
We can replace silver fillings with tooth-colored composite for both cosmetic and structural reasons.
Your visit, step by step
- 01
Diagnosis
We confirm the cavity with x-rays and intra-oral camera images, and review the findings with you on the chairside screen.
- 02
Comfortable numbing
We apply a topical anesthetic to the gum first, then administer local anesthetic so the tooth and surrounding area are completely numb.
- 03
Decay removal
Your doctor removes only the decayed portion of the tooth, preserving as much healthy structure as possible. This is usually a quick, vibration-free process with modern instruments.
- 04
Bonding and shading
A bonding agent prepares the tooth, then we layer in a composite shaded to match your natural tooth color.
- 05
Curing and shaping
A blue curing light hardens the composite in seconds. Your doctor then shapes the filling so it looks and bites correctly.
- 06
Bite check and polish
We verify your bite, polish the filling to a natural finish, and you are done — typically in 45 to 60 minutes total.
Why patients choose us for this
Conservative removal
We use magnification and modern instruments to remove only the decayed tooth structure. Healthy tooth stays.
Mercury-free, all the time
We have not placed silver amalgam fillings in years. Every filling we do is a tooth-colored bonded composite.
Aesthetic shade matching
Multiple shades of composite are layered to match the natural variation in your tooth — visible only to a trained eye.
Single visit, no temporaries
A typical filling is done in one appointment, including the local anesthetic. You leave with a permanent restoration.