Also called tooth-colored fillings or white fillings, composite fillings are dental fillings made of strong composite resins that can be shaped and tinted to look just like your natural teeth. That means when you have a cavity that needs to be filled, a composite filling can ensure the restoration is virtually undetectable to anyone but your dentist. Resins can be used to repair both small and moderate areas of decay for durable, natural-looking results that help you feel more confident about your smile.

Composite fillings do offer advantages compared to metal amalgam fillings. First, while metal amalgam fillings contain mercury which has been shown to be harmful to health, composite fillings contain no mercury and no metal of any kind – just state-of-the-art resins proven to be compatible with your mouth and your body. Plus, resins achieve a strong bond with the tooth structure so they can prevent decay from “seeping in” the way it can around the edges of metal fillings, which lay on the surface of the tooth instead of bonding with it. And of course, composite fillings look natural, so you feel more confident following a repair and restoration.

The filling procedure begins the same way as it does when a metal filling is being used – the decay and debris are removed from your tooth and the area is carefully cleaned and prepared for the filling material. Then, the composite resin is “flowed” onto the tooth surface layer by layer to achieve a strong bond. Once the level of composite is achieved, the material is carefully shaped for a natural fit and then cured with special light so it becomes hard. A final buffing and polishing, and the filling procedure is complete.